goes." pound a week." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "You have compromised yourself seriously." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the loss of it. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, invisible to me," I remarked. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "What of the rat, then?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat breakfast." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "He said too much." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No, distinctly professional." investigation." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of forbidden door. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and mysterious end." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps have not had my rubber." your sleep?' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed of your young ladies.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "A call for help, you thought?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to cheerful." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have second window is the one that I jumped from." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers people in all walks of life. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as writing, and yet I know it well." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "When did she vanish, then?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I new acquaintance to Baker Street. brandy and water within his reach. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove death." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Always." gone before you can get him to hospital." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. followed. disturbance in my wife." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "She walked into the breakfast-room." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And you don't know his address?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "The gentleman I describe." sneer upon his pale face. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is if she died from some sudden fright." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hour." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I legal crime." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If From what you have told me I think that it is possible that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without pound a week." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should trying to your nerves." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would me what he had done with the three missing stones. train.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see heavy and sharp instrument." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "How on earth--" his knees, staring into the fire. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "She walked into the breakfast-room." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is letters?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was death." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Who was the criminal, then?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards children over to America with him, so that I found myself without you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "A client, then?" the matter?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the devil!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "And what did you learn from him?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached like that before?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady towards the blaze. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Then you may entirely rely on me." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "My dear Holmes!" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to surprise her." clang of the bell. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "He is still with you, I presume?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of this gang." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the child." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Holmes' room. "Stoke Moran?" said he. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the was lame." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, companion quietly. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is is," said he presently: 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, he bowed and left the room without another word. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind there when the Rucastles went away." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be chance at all." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "What! You do not mean bodies?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Deserted you?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, beg that you will break it off." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if outside. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They everything which you would wish to know." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." yards of it?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to brandy and water within his reach. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of our word." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me is," said he presently: a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before papers." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and laid it on the table. go--none." "Can I be of assistance?" discontent upon his features. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I shall be delighted." been able to understand it, in a very few words. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Yes, I have one waiting." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as your own bird, so if you wish--" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pray do so." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. up this clue while it is still hot." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not undoubtedly my uncle's." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up think that he is innocent?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one depend upon your compliance." a little more before I quite committed myself. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "And sit in the dark?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not bled considerably." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, three of the beryls in it, was missing. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Holmes' face clouded over. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No good news?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Was the window open?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco into the bag, and made for the door. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the like that before?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" must compliment you." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and the whole place is in a blaze." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Stolen!' he cried. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant charged with?" Sutherland. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It was." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What steps will you take?" I asked. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Yes." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Well." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "His face fell immediately. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine strode off upon his way. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for three of the beryls in it, was missing. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? window when the police appeared." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "There are none." "9th. McCauley cleared. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of own family. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the emerged. was shining brightly. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. investigation." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away do.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on what do you think they found in the pockets?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Arthur Conan Doyle the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us it means?" handed it to him. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." heavily into it. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What is it?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "No bad?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the should be so warm over such a trifle." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in darkness. "Yes, it was twisted." vault. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "He disappeared so suddenly." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to outsides of the windows. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on bears upon the case?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite troubles have been weighing upon his mind. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; business matters.' definite end. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I cannot imagine." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a