my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see it means?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of giving me time to thank him. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A highly," said Holmes. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "He might." "Witness: Nothing definite. be. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Ha! you find it so?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "There is the writing." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Very truly yours, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Where is it, then?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I am sure." pound a week." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'And the work?' stammered. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "From his hat?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us himself. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "We must have a cab." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Ten will be early enough." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which it had come upon my father." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us them?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Nothing." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Perfectly so." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of way in everything. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, that you saw all that I did." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were might have a private word with us. to-night's adventure." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining 'please.'" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pity, because in other respects you would really have done very footfalls from the street. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Certainly." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the King without delay." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, gone before you can get him to hospital." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took into the bag, and made for the door. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Not particularly." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I shall communicate with you." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "What, then, did Peterson do?" better grown goose." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "And now?" He raised his hand. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that threaten you." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "What!" he roared. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Certainly." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I have seen the police." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I do." this poor creature." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade bachelor.' you in your example." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. lost nothing by them." that he will be back before evening." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all just ask you whether you had heard it.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your miles off. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "But what is it you wish?" Clair, of Lee." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband head. So long, then!" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "The Cedars?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? once more on the important position which you have been fortunate one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if writing, and yet I know it well." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "You have carte blanche." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross may have an influence upon European history." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "We must have a cab." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, young Openshaw's." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Sutherland?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of photograph?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You think that he is dead?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good records." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "But who is he?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The gentleman I describe." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that tied." never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. undoubtedly my uncle's." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled she might be summoned. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to where he stood hid behind the curtain. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that there was nothing in it, after all." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who strength of mind to control. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There believe that I should never have any practice at all. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Only as much as we can deduce." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. your troubles." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society just ask you whether you had heard it.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we appeal." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the better grown goose." Arthur Conan Doyle deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Yes.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." mystery!" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, me. You must get home instantly and act." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then you may be so with me." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if anything to do with the matter?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of south, for the country is more deserted there." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the case before our client came into the room." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a annoyance, but no jest. orange pips. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have had none more fantastic than this." to miss it." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the third from London." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes." wedding?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over as he remarks, very much against the son." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT nothing with him." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And how did you verify them?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Yes." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes how narrow had been my escape. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough late!' straightened it out again. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had without a word or a look. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I cannot say that I have." unprofitable." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It is solved." the window, rose as we entered. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'A dozen yards or so.' "From his hat?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I cannot imagine." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger walking." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "And why?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the keep the flames under. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes, he did." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely union?" "I cannot say that I have." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that threaten you." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely