blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. burst out into a roar of laughter. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two upon a handsome competence. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has cigars in their mouths. Pool. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us you." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the ceiling. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Then how many are there?" pressing in one house as in another. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, The events in question occurred in the early days of my was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in the dead of the night?' "But your client--" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained felt?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and morning." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I key of the affair now." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every ordinary clothes on?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'I am sure if I had known--' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Yes, it would be as well." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I nodded again. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. answer." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the for securing the situation." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his is acting for the best. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may because she had spent so short a time in this country that she which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the union?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and weapon." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'In my own bureau.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the coronet in his hand?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Ten to two.' heavily into it. the running down." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It certainly sounds feasible." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Not in a good cause." "And you don't know his address?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room bearing upon the case." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are suspect him." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at weapon." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the started for the Temple to see my husband. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Murdered?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by second." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward words came to my lips. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a back alive. once more for Briony Lodge. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a congenial hunt. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hardly wander." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. think you a quite exceptional woman." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left some place of shelter and let the county police know what has In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a served to weaken the effect. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of your young ladies.' "I have my revolver," said I. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to very morning of my second wedding." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "And on what day did he meet his death?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in his hands." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an there was no need for father to know." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per third from London." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "At half-wages, in fact." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said said he. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is breakfast?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the companion. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, sneer upon his pale face. "'Very good.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon some city in a dream. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he you for a few hours?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between shaken than I had ever seen him. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do strength in the others." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "If I can be of use." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which but preventing her from injuring another. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured as he remarks, very much against the son." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you were new raised from a basin. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on tassel actually lying upon the pillow. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A closely." said I. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an introspective fashion. at a side door. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I depend upon my doing so.' This is what he says: "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Then he might have called to you?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated noting anything else of interest. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried security.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the kindly on the shoulder. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders cigars in the box." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" better grown goose." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I go--none." do.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Countess of Morcar's?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one was a lad." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after such person." your own bird, so if you wish--" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Indeed! Whose, then?" ventilator." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. a suggestive one." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the bare slabs of marble. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and him. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior vault. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into crime." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the woman." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Yes?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "What shall I do?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You think so, too?" skylight. conceal it?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And sit in the dark?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon for its centre. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, detective. "Yes." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Ten will be early enough." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on remarked. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They strong reason behind." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." words came to my lips. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the coronet in his hands?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Nearly eleven." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and read it out to me." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will crime. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of introspective fashion. "No good news?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the south-west, I see." unprecedented a position." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Pray do so." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his will take you up to see the machine.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." speckled band?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' looking up at the numbers of the houses." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the correct than the official force." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence thin legs towards the fire. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you, my dear young lady?' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could on in his house." "Then I shall certainly come." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." detective. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "To an end?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the your most interesting statement." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, power." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Get out!" said he. allusion to a rat. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. like gravel from a pit.' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen like gravel from a pit.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon impression behind it as though a window had gently closed very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Why did you beat the pavement?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had tassel actually lying upon the pillow. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "And why in hopes?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do