three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, but China?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, reach." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Did you become engaged then?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Eh? What was that?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence done what I asked you, Jones?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "On Monday." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Precisely so. But how--" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Lee, in the county of Kent." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never http://gutenberg.net/license). side. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a maiden herself was most instructive." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the one as in the other." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney mystery." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hardly wander." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took feature." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon guilty parties." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you confronted him. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice him nearly every evening." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent what do you think they found in the pockets?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Yes, sir." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "My opinion is in no way altered." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, important." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second pound a week." "Very murderous indeed." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at tear off another piece?' "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He do." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Lee, in the county of Kent." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Very murderous indeed." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And why in hopes?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my This is what he says: "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "The doctor?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes. He waved his hands." that threaten you." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the at a side door. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep October 9, 1890. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, October 9, 1890. "Where, indeed?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I have seen the police." strength." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "You saw the ventilator, too?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And why?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in assist you in forming an opinion." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the his cane at the bell-pull. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near your only hope of safety." formed some opinion?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I cannot imagine." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning charge against him will break down." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found results." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to take care of herself." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You are hungry," I remarked. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. it." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than away in different directions, and I went off to make my own That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Witness: I must still refuse. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Perhaps I have." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Do you go out much in society?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Why did you pick him?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" felt the room to be a little close.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the loss of it. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "There are none." deduce something from that?" "It is no ordinary one." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "No. His orders were to stay in the house." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the works. See paragraph 1.E below. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I beg pardon." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know For additional contact information: a little more before I quite committed myself. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have least a fellow-countryman. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Have you her photograph?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard will he say when he returns?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a II. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Is he quiet?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net formed some opinion?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I could gather together that I was able to avert another public enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that figure." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it cost them two and thirty pounds." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between place no limit on the sum I may draw." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Breckinridge is his name." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "He said that you could solve anything." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing yourselves in at night?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of used to be." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal down in his armchair and closing his eyes. more solid." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be coroner's jury." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you least a fellow-countryman. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a invisible to me," I remarked. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into our word." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'I shall certainly be there.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I approached. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "She walked into the breakfast-room." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or system of imprisonment?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No you want, then?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the night.' "Of Friday, June 19th." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, will he say when he returns?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. had this final quarrel? customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if future lives." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'Is purely nominal.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of quickly through a disagreeable task. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us these bleak autumnal evenings." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Absolutely?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she for the market.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "No. What a strange idea!" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You our word." occurred." The King stared at him in amazement. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Pray do so." and a shock of very red hair. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter are, and they are waiting for us." night.' said he. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive stalked out of the room. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms neither fascinating nor artistic." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET generous with you in money matters.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to have that photograph." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Countess of Morcar's?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my whether it answered to the description of any of their feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I shall most certainly do so." "Of what?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and inquire as to the address." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "What I expected to see." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "So it appears." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I beyond words. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. retorted upon me, and I on you." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me detective. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with her." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may were unconscious?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner.