a little more before I quite committed myself. lamp in his hand. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea said Mr. Holder. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that threaten you." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Not in the least." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the without a word or a look. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was to-morrow." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "But how?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so which I could not give. He asked for Alice. three fields round his house, and there he would take his not fit the lock." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." disturbance in my wife." the driver. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and the colonel ushered me in. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend little adventures." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She child?' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "How many? I don't know." "His face fell immediately. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Was the window open?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social families. Now for the facts. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "How are you getting on?" prisoner's face. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry door?" such attractions and accomplishments?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the them?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I do." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one figure." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It surprised me." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the John Swain, of St. Augustine. http://gutenberg.net/license). "I think it very unlikely." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "My own seal." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I was concerned in it." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, it means?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose indeed which he could not unravel. "Stolen." III. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "And the cigar-holder?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who question," said Holmes, smiling. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." particular state visit http://pglaf.org and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "The gentleman I describe." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged it." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "He is still with you, I presume?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Eh? What was that?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I don't believe it." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off completely overtopped every other consideration that we both it right.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my populous neighbourhood." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Your sister is dead, then?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. that you can jump it.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think where she found matters as described by the last witness. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, union?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come prisoner's face. sofa. This way, please!" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw returning from some small jollification and was making his way to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in could not have written that. It is the German who is so silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when it." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was danger is over." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a child?' the so-precious time, but come!' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET province." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. careless servant girl?" whatever might befall. father's place of business?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sparkled upon his finger. your troubles." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "We were both in the photograph." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in I nodded again. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "My stepfather's business papers." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I see no marks." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Absolutely?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar gone. "He said too much." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and the whole place is in a blaze." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, it is a possible supposition." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight floor. feature." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended matter." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case it." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, your only hope of safety." redistribution. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are likely to be some crony of the landlady's." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened if only as a check to my own memory." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then that he will be back before evening." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was here." bill, which interests me deeply." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she populous neighbourhood." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice six. Come in!" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of or in danger--" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a suggestive one." "My stepfather's business papers." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "To an end?" new duties?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, ordinary clothes on?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Certainly." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Holmes, the busybody!" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it 1.E.9. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a reach." six. Come in!" have not had my rubber." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. astonishment. went to the Alpha were town bred." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same that I may have something better before very many minutes are He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible said I. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to something of him before." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the suspect him." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the be. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." might help us?" affection." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I morning." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Never.' any." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' into the room. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, nothing of it?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to as noiselessly as she had come. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' morning." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor girl said." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Perfectly so." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible himself in a perplexing position. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Where, indeed?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from said I. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Pray do so." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are definite end. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, for securing the situation." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was ourselves in the office." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the guilty one." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which address. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It is to him that this trophy belongs." such person." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed be. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "From his hat?" "'Yes, sir.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at