As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down suddenly upon us." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his me." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the loss of it. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my key of the affair now." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it stepfather?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of it with the greatest attention. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed discontent upon his features. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." bird I ate is country bred." the dangers which encompass me." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "No." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stood on the top of it. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the south-west, I see." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I do." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short conclusions. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident What do you deduce from it?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Never.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and guilty one." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to returning from some small jollification and was making his way souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." passage and a tap at the door. your troubles." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And your father? Did you tell him?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove obstinate." shall use the carriage to-night." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. carried out of court." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Ample." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Look there!" said he. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure security.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the during that time.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "At half-wages, in fact." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "What then?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Most admirably.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time it were putty." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." good for you to do.' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at with some details as to your case." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Why, what do you mean?" "So I heard. You have him here?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather three fields round his house, and there he would take his my secret was safe in his possession. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Leadenhall Street--and--" Leadenhall Street--and--" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down disappearance of these gems?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the some terrible trap for her." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, help us in this matter." not, dad?" she asked. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark people in all walks of life. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' him and tried to hold him back. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You have but to name it." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Seven!" I answered. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar second window is the one that I jumped from." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it coroner's jury." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance ran thus: "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Absolutely?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I been deceived." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Project Gutenberg-tm works. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the key of the affair now." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always The police have openly confessed that they can at present make whether it answered to the description of any of their "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the clanging. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Countess of Morcar's?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of third from London." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What!" he roared. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the retorted upon me, and I on you." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in made him keep the appointment." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. London for the present?" "I would pay ten." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save peculiar to him. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Holmes' room. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was himself in a perplexing position. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord all that?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Yes." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'How far from the body?' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "My dear Holmes!" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But how will you look?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon mystery may be cleared along those lines." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fluttered off among the others. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, fear." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an handed it to him. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Was the window open?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Then he might have called to you?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four villagers almost as much as their master. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' which was all perfectly true. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was train.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the driver. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those respectable self." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I not personally threatened." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and tail." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "But what will you do?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the bottom.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom details." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." interest. They are important, you understand, without being sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to despaired of." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have been better. It is all right." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check him to be an active member of the medical profession." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was in his hands." "Quite so." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." behind me. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely some city in a dream. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Sholtos." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of which was all perfectly true. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Mary, has deserted me." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You presented more singular features than that which was associated "But you have hopes?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes, from Horsham." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." might have a private word with us. lectures into a series of tales." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'I am sure that I do not know.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the through." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must was it brought him the coronet? "Where is it, then?" present." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "And is that all?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "She will not sell." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I do." sparkled upon his finger. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying very morning of my second wedding." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view because she had spent so short a time in this country that she more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the http://www.gutenberg.net "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert your room."