"But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I shall most certainly do so." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I cannot say that I have." "Won't it ring?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' there is a decided draught." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Very well, sir. And this stone?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Miss Holder?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that some water from a caraffe. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the station." evidence," I remarked. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a affection." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." within hail.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his eyes and forehead. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. place of silver." here." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall key turn in the lock." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, fishes. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one corner of the building. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "And what did you see?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all which are rolled in Rotterdam." straighten it?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" developed." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in open." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The upon a handsome competence. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to what I may call a really hard day's work." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and hands. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of should be taken.' "What then?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "But your client--" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has retorted upon me, and I on you." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "They are typewritten," I remarked. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "From his hat?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to a more successful conclusion." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "What of the rat, then?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a later, upon the night of May 2nd." an introduction to him?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. mysterious end." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back woven round him. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Pope's Court. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich carpenter." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his face. mystery may be cleared along those lines." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were detained." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of his shoulders. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove frequently gained my first real insight into the character of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "But how will you look?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yes, that is the Crown." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Then what has happened to him?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." think that he is innocent?" "Then, how do you know?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right examine." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I weighed down with some great anxiety. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Only as much as we can deduce." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Foundation flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "By no means." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fattened it expressly for you.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Munro.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. foresight and the moral retrogression?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock becomes even more simple." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Ten to two.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "A call for help, you thought?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'Most admirably.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Yes." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have one." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the indiscretion." "That is it on the dressing-table." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes." room had already been engaged for us. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." redistribution. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "But you can know nothing of this?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I think that it is very probable." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man footfalls from the street. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear neither fascinating nor artistic." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And your father? Did you tell him?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the society." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too you found me to-night--and running through the front room she seen the man in the road." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Which surely he restored to their owner?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and glanced through. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And Miss Sutherland?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy asked with his eyes open. papers diligently of late, have you not?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight disturbance in my wife." suddenly upon us." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. will be renamed. "Yes, certainly." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You have carte blanche." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to-night?" I asked. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked legal crime." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in least a fellow-countryman. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my this as likely?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a lips." future lives." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And leave your case unfinished?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you one else, I think." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as public press." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do will find little credit to be gained out of this case." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly present." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "You will not go there first?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have returned to France?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps empty. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which washing it down with a long draught of water. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." him. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his again on its way. "I promise," said Holmes. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to arrive at through this?" will take you up to see the machine.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Doctor, of the paper and the date." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a distinguish the words: of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what must compliment you." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You are hungry," I remarked. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Project Gutenberg-tm works. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." McCarthy's innocence. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "A confidential servant?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his murdered man." "Were they all fastened this morning?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You horrify me!" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for questionable one." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he presented more singular features than that which was associated found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that you can jump it.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I cannot tell." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. husband's writing, madam." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "But we can't all be." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the house with me." eat it." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "What have you to say now?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Was the window open?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed clang of the bell. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City despair." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "No." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I was sure that I might rely on you." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I you." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand mystery."