were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me companion. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal always that they were such commands as a lady might with against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for any." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the so-precious time, but come!' there in twenty minutes." one which it was hard to resist. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the salesman. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, gbnewby@pglaf.org purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at matters immensely." London for the present?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Arthur Conan Doyle Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "How on earth--" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." matter." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Could he throw no light?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Have you her photograph?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on have an American origin." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yes." telegram would bring me down to your help." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his security.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That thirty. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this morning." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no noting anything else of interest. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about goes." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." strength in the others." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be front of the hall door has given its name to the place. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." any little problem which you may submit to me." Sutherland. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "No." to talk it over. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer nothing with him." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for ways of our fellow-men." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment had a long day." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she row." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Then, how do you know?" the so-precious time, but come!' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his face which made him a very different person to the round, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit in one or two places in England?' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very a little more before I quite committed myself. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Frequently." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If public press." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But how did you gain them?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy new acquaintance to Baker Street. tear off another piece?' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Could he throw no light?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in this way: "Who was the criminal, then?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "And you thought he was pulled back?" salesman. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. forebodings. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the prisoner's face. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' you." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the south-west, I see." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Well, some hundreds of times." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "What steps will you take?" I asked. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. business?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." companion imperturbably. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Literary Archive Foundation brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "A client, then?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," happened." Holmes' room. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear round and wave him away like that.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'A dozen yards or so.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Is purely nominal.' delirious. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be chance at all." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from status with the IRS. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be be. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little it." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your second." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I will, Miss Turner." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And how have you succeeded?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE my secret was safe in his possession. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of what is your own theory as to what took place?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I cannot imagine." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yesterday." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all eat it." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "You forget that I know nothing about it." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of Mr. Rucastle's." colour had been driven from his face. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. pound a week." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly assist you in forming an opinion." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away three fields round his house, and there he would take his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers felt?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fashion which was peculiar to him. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of weapon." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major fat-encircled eyes. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Not in the least." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Who by?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a is four-and-twenty." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "That also I could fathom." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," tightly behind him. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be face and glided from the room. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of think that he is innocent?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands man. I know him from the photograph." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at is a common subject for conversation. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Seven!" I answered. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such looking up at the numbers of the houses." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Pray do so." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I think that it is very probable." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid away into the river." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fluttered off among the others. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and said he. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the night.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I would give my fortune to have them back." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Never,' said I. minor matters until to-morrow." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "That is not always so easy." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a out of this horrible affair." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. before the coroner and the police-court." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Just look it up, then." "And how?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was narrative." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "No bad?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest most interesting one." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you his grey eyes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not fit the lock." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said with some details as to your case." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case think you a quite exceptional woman." woven round him. "Yes, certainly." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Then how many are there?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the