believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, anything to do with the matter?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. shaken than I had ever seen him. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over details." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Heh?' closing the door. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is hair?' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "No?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very someone who had been in Australia." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of ordinary clothes on?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "What then?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was back to my heart. "And how have you succeeded?" "Could he throw no light?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a few minutes he said that it would be all right. strength of mind to control. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without fluttered off among the others. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but a very grave face. light and attacked it." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. my room." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the http://gutenberg.net/license). of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "How did he come?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Which surely he restored to their owner?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and it need not interfere very much with one's other prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it past. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." pierced for earrings?" "But you have hopes?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You know me, then?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my astonishment. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the Friday. Was it to be in church?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got way in everything. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "He is dead," cried several voices. me upon any point which I do not make clear." I have it here in my museum." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was ashen face. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with with you alone." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler details." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Of Friday, June 19th." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" one of the states of the Union." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to letters?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "And why?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Then you may entirely rely on me." been shamefully used." the roots. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to once more to my work. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Where to?' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped not come at once?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and the church but not where the lady lived." and the church but not where the lady lived." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It is his hat." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes, it was twisted." distinguish the words: Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this with you alone." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Yes." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my was not a bird to be seen there. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to feature." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true both be extremely obliged.' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for room. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become question. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." lectures into a series of tales." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I will try. What is it?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "What steps will you take?" I asked. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that you wished to speak to me?' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "It is solved." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. or in danger--" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Doctor, of the paper and the date." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and a shock of very red hair. status with the IRS. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that he will be back before evening." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "No, but the enclosure is." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it upon the white wrist. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium desk. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I saw her in conversation with her maid." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. telegram would bring me down to your help." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a row." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Game for a morning drive?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made it. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Yes?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange rooms." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the conclusions. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely fire. You quite follow me?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do crackling voice. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some never to learn it at all." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Not particularly." you understand?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently vague figure huddled up in the darkness. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was back to my heart. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly front of me. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to round with crates and massive boxes. was shining brightly. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, when you have done it." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have will not take me long to tell. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire http://gutenberg.net/license). expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my come either from the window or the door. My attention was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Did you become engaged then?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was back to my heart. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Certainly not. But why?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for http://www.gutenberg.net upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden gentleman's clothes. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was straighten it?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Can I be of assistance?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." everything which you would wish to know." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'And the work?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Will you bet, then?" desk. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I fasten all the windows?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has But Holmes shook his head gravely. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it copied or distributed: plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which very morning of my second wedding." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly people don't know." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, for the market.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a writer." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "By no means." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of imbecility!" he cried. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "How about poison?" "That also I could fathom." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would States. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to been." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the house for five minutes.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What is it, then--a fire?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us very morning of my second wedding." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." already referred to. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Never." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Holmes rather sternly. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each sit on the left-hand side of the driver." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" against a man in the prime of life?" up this clue while it is still hot." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg not within a twentieth part of the market price." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the side-table." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "What are they?" his face. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to me. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. maid will bring up your coffee." asked. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. interest. They are important, you understand, without being in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Then you may entirely rely on me." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his fasten all the windows?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was