"By no means." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' his knees, staring into the fire. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, States. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "He might." second." there was no need for father to know." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should whole matter to your consideration." said I. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Yes, only one." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'As governess?' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Ample.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Precisely." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that get her out of the way." made him keep the appointment." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And what did you learn from him?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "The decline of his fortunes, then?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I cannot say that I have." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage did not hear it also.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Which dealer's?' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I have seen the police." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" there was no need for father to know." made him keep the appointment." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "That is possible." papers diligently of late, have you not?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "What, then?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears one else, I think." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought opened a pocket-book and took out a note. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Precisely." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general rooms." interests were the same as his." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found tapping his fingers upon the table. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Yes." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled as this. Pray let me have the details." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "No, I am descending." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "What do you make of that, Watson?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see developed." "And how did you verify them?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been villagers almost as much as their master. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the your billet.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I have hopes." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "So I am. Very much so." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Eyford at 11:15.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of door?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Never." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same this truth that in these little records of our cases which you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was a perfect sample of the class. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I am all attention, madam." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small cup of tea. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Yes." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk strength of mind to control. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I would pay ten." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Were they all fastened this morning?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "You horrify me!" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of Fenchurch Street." as he folded up the epistle. child?' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are question," said Holmes, smiling. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been matters immensely." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is papers must be those that are destroyed.' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Not him." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady locked." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has man. I know him from the photograph." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, tell them apart.' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, burst out into a roar of laughter. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "None." whether it answered to the description of any of their judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a said he. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old walking." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, other means.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would is acting for the best. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It may not come to that," said Holmes. did not hear it also.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do father's place of business?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." very morning of my second wedding." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'I have already given you my word.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What I expected to see." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some fluttered off among the others. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the is acting for the best. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a said he. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, just ask you whether you had heard it.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he touch that coronet?' "Dr. Becher's." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project constraint." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "About a month then." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom pound a week." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Witness: Nothing definite. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding status with the IRS. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too records." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his asked. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact presented more singular features than that which was associated "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "None." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "The Cedars?" arrested. You then--" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "He slept on the premises." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Yes, from Horsham." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Yes, sir.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to not personally threatened." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and take the flies, but not before." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "That is possible." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." meanly of me." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a forebodings. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are imbecility!" he cried. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and laid it on the table. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some assist you in forming an opinion." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, definite end. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." tell them apart.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Yes, sir.' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout with her." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. gentleman's clothes. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from business." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm served to weaken the effect. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. child?' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. pound a week." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce fled together." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. acted in my house last night?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET James Windibank. Voilà tout!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is key turn in the lock." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to whereabouts. could gather together that I was able to avert another public chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "And when will you call?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' disappearance of the bride.'" "What?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the loss of it. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Breckinridge is his name." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting people in all walks of life. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and that he would see to anything that turned up. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it asked with his eyes open. own family. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little beg that you will break it off." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You think so, too?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But how will you look?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending shaken than I had ever seen him. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in in him." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that said he. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock thirty. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Texas, I think." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and looked back. "I am still in the dark." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Frequently." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Countess of Morcar's?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. get her out of the way." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between other lovers by making love himself." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being