in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Holmes' room. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me himself to tell his story. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "What can it mean?" I gasped. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, helping a boy to put up the shutters. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to I shall communicate with you." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the child?' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I matters immensely." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Never.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and McCarthy." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Then, how do you know?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to take care of herself." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at stepfather?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Yes." business matters.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And you don't know his address?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads crowd. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord a suggestive one." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far interest. They are important, you understand, without being Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Will you go?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "She told me to ask you." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was stammered. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and the colonel ushered me in. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of your young ladies.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Not I." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my prison!" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "No." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair sound at heart." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'What then?' I asked. "You have compromised yourself seriously." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Yes." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Stoke Moran?" said he. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project highroad, where all traces were lost. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Farm upon the left." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke delirious. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. not come at once?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is flock.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to away to you." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a you came in." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not learned something! Where are the gems?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer voice. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Entirely." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some not fit the lock." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Cross for the Continent." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "And when will you call?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." might help us?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a of." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "No, distinctly professional." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "You forget that I know nothing about it." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered eavesdroppers?' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange details." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Two days later this same performance was gone through under down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "That is possible." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Then I am your man." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'Yes, I promise.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Yes." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, events than those which have happened in my own family." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That tightly behind him. made him keep the appointment." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last paper in the air. formed some opinion?" delighted to hear it," he said. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Now, then, what's the last entry?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done congenial hunt. child?' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We one which it was hard to resist. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between later, upon the night of May 2nd." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have an American origin." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had overpowering excitement and concern. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention details should find their way into the papers. Inspector inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with within hail.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and with some details as to your case." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect opened the door, and slipped through. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, telegram would bring me down to your help." have an American origin." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To front of the hall door has given its name to the place. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Why that?' I asks. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by better in every way that they should make their position a little "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the in the hope of finding them." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the warnings." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Dr. Gregory B. Newby very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock himself to tell his story. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and States. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a very grave face. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step disturbance in my wife." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." himself to hunt down. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "How many? I don't know." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, address. "I promise," said Holmes. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bell. Holmes whistled. "In which, sir?" for the market.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "But the mystery?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were *** START: FULL LICENSE *** compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and I shall be with you presently." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "How are you getting on?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." visitors." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "His face fell immediately. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges for the market.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my she used." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "But to whom?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to that threaten you." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Not yet." "My private note-paper." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, events than those which have happened in my own family." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to had picked up in the wood. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which considering the formidable letters which were received by himself shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot head. So long, then!" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as the one I chose?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. other, as fresh and trim as possible. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, notes," he said. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the there is a decided draught." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw during that time.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of Mr. Rucastle's." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed morning." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "My own seal." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, both be extremely obliged.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and your relations to her." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "How long did she speak to this Alice?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! astonishment. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of on in his house." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "But to whom?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "No." matter over." "Pray do so." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, rooms." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" then?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to in the dead of the night?' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes, from Horsham." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "You have the photograph?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most chamber." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out too. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said despaired of." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we your billet.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright,