already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes, it was twisted." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the general public were present, then?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, she might be summoned. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and think that he is innocent?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Well, it is a possible supposition." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'A dozen yards or so.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the me have 200 pounds?' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Where to?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Holmes' face clouded over. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I think it very unlikely." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to daring than any effort of the imagination." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took just ask you whether you had heard it.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good him and tried to hold him back. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which depend upon your compliance." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever thirty. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Young McCarthy must be got off, however." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." time." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I was afraid that you were engaged." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was redistribution. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No, but the enclosure is." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "But what will you do?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to you." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the will be renamed. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to passage and a tap at the door. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building of them has the shutters up.' the one as in the other." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your through." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to have that photograph." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental girl said." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But to whom?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I your only hope of safety." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe may have an influence upon European history." future lives." the warnings." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Yes, sir." "Where to?" tied." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies is so. I know all about McCarthy." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Your presence might be invaluable." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your a few minutes he said that it would be all right. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the iron safe, which he closed upon it. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Never.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads light and attacked it." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon even of instruction." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that existence." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to him. "A call for help, you thought?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it matter." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, him. vanished into the darkness. strength." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Street. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met it were putty." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent tension within him. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you himself in a perplexing position. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the manager. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. time." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the Red-headed League." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I nodded again. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Nothing." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of this gang." "Nothing." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Stoke Moran." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. three of the beryls in it, was missing. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of throat." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Never,' said I. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Not yet." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. was shining brightly. of your young ladies.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from but preventing her from injuring another. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should be best to do. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Why, what do you mean?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower one or two very singular points about this room. For example, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was opened the door, and slipped through. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "The doctor?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My there were one or two details which were new to me. But the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No, I had a dozen." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that infinite languor in his face. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. pound a week." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my new acquaintance to Baker Street. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I have it here in my museum." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland conceal it?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a opened the door, and slipped through. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." telegram would bring me down to your help." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but becomes even more simple." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a husband's writing, madam." "It is solved." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. papers diligently of late, have you not?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in this way: cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you at my own good fortune. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked awaited us upon the table. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And leave your case unfinished?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then started for the Temple to see my husband. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. to that open window." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered case-book, which he consulted. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. to a more successful conclusion." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the salesman. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of the way of danger. "And now?" He raised his hand. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an chill to my heart. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "No, I had a dozen." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately pressing in one house as in another. 'please.'" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Proceed, then." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time was not a bird to be seen there. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent union?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his guilty one." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You will not go there first?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "ARAT," I read. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same my secret was safe in his possession. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "But not more so than I to find you." that you wished to speak to me?' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "What I expected to see." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No, distinctly professional." weary and pale-looking. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to yards of it?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." you understand?" carried out of court." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But what will you do?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the little opening for the ventilator is."