return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was I shall continue with my miserable story. the bed, and you in that chair." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he to talk it over. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of my little problems." good for you to do.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham noble correspondent could be. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible handed it to him. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls seem to you to be relevant or not." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'I am sure if I had known--' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I guessed as much." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and no precautions can guard against." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "No, I had a dozen." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a are, and they are waiting for us." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It is possible." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Gutenberg-tm License. read over the extraordinary announcement. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. was shining brightly. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Was the window open?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. charged with?" through." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as touch that coronet?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." for securing the situation." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You have a clue?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "How did he come?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, distinguish the words: "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. sound at heart." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this notes," he said. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Serpentine Avenue. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case searched, without anything being found which could incriminate morning." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning married her." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Absolutely none." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Yes." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No bad?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I came to find a friend." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel way in everything. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would cost them two and thirty pounds." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Your French gold?" "What have you to say now?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Certainly." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "That is easily got." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "What?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is desk. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long question you as to those details which seem to me to be most XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could she might be summoned. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the very morning of the wedding." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Was your sister dressed?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before towards the blaze. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and in. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It's nothing of the kind." it." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon cheerful." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "By no means." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in his hands." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right until night should bring an explanation. rooms." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes humiliation." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just think that any burglar could have done. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus colour had been driven from his face. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' the bottom.' to a light-house. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has if only as a check to my own memory." might help us?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman crime." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in himself to hunt down. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "We were both in the photograph." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And I to find an enemy." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my quick march!" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Where to?' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon a handsome competence. "Then you may entirely rely on me." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Edgeware Road. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' noble correspondent could be. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. attention." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; away to you." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a rooms." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes, sir." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which head. So long, then!" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt both be extremely obliged.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his hardly wander." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "None." "My last client of the sort was a king." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to away to you." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," States. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Nothing." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and it need not interfere very much with one's other plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place rooms." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in the hope of finding them." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Very much so." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. than was visible to me." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that he has suffered." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon gives a meaning to it." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a little more before I quite committed myself. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, humiliation." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, crime." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between in a friendly supper." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You are all wrong." "Where, indeed?" matter." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to a more successful conclusion." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't brain must have something in it." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. front of me. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the that?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may absorbing." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no make me his representative both with the servants and with the crackling voice. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You did not overhear what they said?" foot. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has discontent upon his features. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "No, I had a dozen." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would his face. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Oh, the cause is excellent!" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Absolutely none." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "No legal papers or certificates?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel other means.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the good-night and bustled off upon her way. it right.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you coroner's jury." companion quietly. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the coroner come to?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." waste of energy." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you key turn in the lock." "It is no ordinary one." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' never will be, entirely cleared up. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His were new raised from a basin. must be when I saw the door open.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit easy-going way." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"