points to suicide?" written. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the matter." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go empty. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And is that all?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced colonel looking down at me. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was a perfect sample of the class. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a one of them." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to so.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "What can you not understand?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who him!" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be newspaper selections." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm together. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. guilty one." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And for present expenses?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A frequently gained my first real insight into the character of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of there was no need for father to know." "'Why that?' I asks. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and no precautions can guard against." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Where, then?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and as this. Pray let me have the details." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the strength of mind to control. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I goes." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "It was." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if your co-operation." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." out." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the in the dead of the night?' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of flock.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, giving me time to thank him. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached purpose of examination. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Stoke Moran?" said he. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Murdered?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is awkward doing business with an alias." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "It missed him, then?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was used.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine during which he might have communicated with his friend the the coronet in his hands?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in a very precise fashion." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should six. Come in!" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and clang of the bell. "I don't believe it." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "My own seal." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Of what day?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where showing my impatience. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different then?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been new duties?' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six with you alone." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when you want, then?' and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my ways of our fellow-men." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush I nodded to show that I had heard. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to his chemical studies. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to province." and looked back. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave posted to-day." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid off." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." note?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "No." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. kind enough to tell me what I should do." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms was used.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future upon the white wrist. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were friends, not even his own brother. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help if I call to-morrow?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were tail." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know bore every mark of being an average commonplace British said I. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of my former friend and companion. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed relation between them, and what the object of his repeated once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One any more." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as fait accompli?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "The knees of his trousers." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you served to weaken the effect. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Then I do not see the point." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my politicians who had been sent down from the North. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just place, I think that there is good ground to think that the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' signal between you and your father? correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'As governess?' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the morning and make my own way in the world.' examine." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and side. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and inquire as to the address." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing McCarthy." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Never.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Then, how do you know?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was a perfect sample of the class. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my matter." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which said Mr. Holder. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his eyes and forehead. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a lumber-room." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "No, finished." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I was mad--insane." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is take the flies, but not before." there!' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I bare slabs of marble. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere into the room. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little in his hands." of receipt of the work. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 will take you up to see the machine.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "On the contrary, this is the right side." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low matters immensely." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in question," said Holmes, smiling. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Come in!" said Holmes. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to everything which you would wish to know." not personally threatened." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "There are none." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. McCarthy." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich likely to be some crony of the landlady's." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I beg pardon." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at make me his representative both with the servants and with the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'What then?' I asked. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'I am sure if I had known--' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Chief Executive and Director "You think so, too?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. allusion to a rat. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely