this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Of what?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I should like to see him very much." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'A dozen yards or so.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." asked with his eyes open. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "None." affection." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. felt?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. in the dead of the night?' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You have carte blanche." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "What have you done?" asked Holmes. himself. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. them?" "I shall most certainly do so." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in brandy and water within his reach. everything which you would wish to know." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to them, and came down just as you departed. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name not, dad?" she asked. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I have a cab outside." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which him." "I fear not." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out answer." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect your Highness to the police-station?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint her also." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's to affect your life." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency business." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Proceed, then." that there was nothing in it, after all." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Look there!" said he. head. So long, then!" cigars in their mouths. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Then the page we have seen--" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of Mr. Rucastle's." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the roots. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Your French gold?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wedding?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits his fortune, and I went back to pa. presume?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Which are?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yes. He waved his hands." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. sake, don't!" if only as a check to my own memory." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I cannot think." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was yourselves in at night?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to-night?' "'It is locked up,' I answered. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal This is what he says: "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from joking. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in very old mansion. "Then he might have called to you?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait six. Come in!" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson useful material for showing traces. The double line a little had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the nursery. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter corner of the building. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is when your master had gone out." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is himself. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "That also I could fathom." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between it with his own hands." or in danger--" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found garden below. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to indeed happy." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Heh?' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "My private note-paper." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in this note: "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'I have already given you my word.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "What can it mean?" I gasped. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Then I am your man." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Is he quiet?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And that is--" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the must compliment you." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You forget that I know nothing about it." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, all." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss posted to-day." "No bad?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Here?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. it." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to have that photograph." brain must have something in it." it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce very morning of my second wedding." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was woman." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "So I am. Very much so." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Arthur Conan Doyle chair. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian this as likely?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one him nearly every evening." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time minor matters until to-morrow." of them has the shutters up.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the his eyes and forehead. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw later, upon the night of May 2nd." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I him to go away.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue goes." whole matter to your consideration." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Lee, in the county of Kent." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he advice." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread he. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a really the only notable feature about the thing." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly could go. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "No." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his fortune, and I went back to pa. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly existence." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate suggested at once that there must be a communication between the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "What then?" again." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the coronet in his hands?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up security.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the little opening for the ventilator is." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'Where to?' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal always that they were such commands as a lady might with frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features served to weaken the effect. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And for present expenses?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this have had none more fantastic than this." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to take care of herself." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Most admirably.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover learned something! Where are the gems?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "But who is he?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "And is that all?" "But the mystery?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the morning and make my own way in the world.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar definite end. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the indiscretion." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in fear." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might some city in a dream. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, house for five minutes.' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." detective. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't too. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be from the brougham. the night.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Who was the criminal, then?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just fatally injured? outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some