serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "But it has twice been burgled." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to take care of herself." "On your arm?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned forecastle of an emigrant ship. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Then, how do you know?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." photograph?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, of receipt of the work. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for done what I asked you, Jones?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of cigars in their mouths. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Never.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his with her." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'I have already given you my word.' been with you?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "The King of Scandinavia." formed some opinion?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The rest you will leave in our hands." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Do you know him?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very morning." "Not in the least." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to that open window." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and be best to do. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to village inn over there?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Is purely nominal.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'I am sure if I had known--' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But you have hopes?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Her father is very rich?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to three fields round his house, and there he would take his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Ha! you find it so?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be was not a bird to be seen there. again." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "By train from Waterloo." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came information in his hands the value of which he did not himself as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and interests were the same as his." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But I am all in the dark." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I am to be neutral?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was feeling which was the fattest.' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any was shining brightly. This is what he says: carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I am in hopes that she does." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step skylight. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls delirious. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." outbreak?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the fatally injured? "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from weighed down with some great anxiety. Watson," he said cordially. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I see many objections to any such theory." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds there was no need for father to know." better in every way that they should make their position a little the house with me." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'A dozen yards or so.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for discontent upon his features. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope before, for it was considerably after midnight. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Is purely nominal.' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and fattened it expressly for you.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Witness: Nothing definite. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so success. charge against him will break down." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with the outside air!" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Count Von Kramm." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and introspective fashion. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover money should be paid at once.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then written, and locked the door of the office after me. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate you." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Nothing." Mrs. Toller serenely. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more once more to my work. your most interesting statement." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Gutenberg-tm License. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. your most interesting statement." "I will do it." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "But she could not love him." and looked back. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "What can you not understand?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." she used." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the infinite languor in his face. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and points to suicide?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses article?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the good for you to do.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right conversation I have gathered that they have been married about headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "What! a murderous attack?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after should be so warm over such a trifle." second window is the one that I jumped from." "You have carte blanche." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from fire. You quite follow me?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Yes, it was gone.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Literary Archive Foundation companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There few hundred pounds.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Have you it here?" clanging. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and put his glass in his pocket. bird of prey. as he remarks, very much against the son." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the King without delay." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his question. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. even so self-evident a thing as that." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double name is different." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "VIOLET HUNTER." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hurried by. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His if she died from some sudden fright." "My private note-paper." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I say it is." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I it." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And how did you verify them?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been there!' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation into the room. for and were ordered to this address. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this following enigmatical notices: standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than outsides of the windows. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "But how did you gain them?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew had died away into the silence from which it rose. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room there were one or two details which were new to me. But the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Stolen, then." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all jewels which you have stolen?' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his maid will bring up your coffee." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What then?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen