wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some hurried by. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching my room." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "What steps will you take?" I asked. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in his power. "In the cells." head. So long, then!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have an American origin." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and wait." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Why? What do you mean?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "And you thought he was pulled back?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Thank you. And your address?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway one's self under obligations.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. at my own good fortune. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be words came to my lips. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm should be taken.' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may me. You must get home instantly and act." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised evidence," I remarked. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "That is it on the dressing-table." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "What then?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. at a side door. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in his power. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which in the hope of finding them." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Yes, it was gone.' green of the new foliage. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It http://www.gutenberg.net enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "No." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked go from here to the Strand." into the room. emerged. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, views." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. she to prove their authenticity?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of prepare for the new role I have to play." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Won't it ring?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which crime. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay vanished into the darkness. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "But how?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will in this way: unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of Fenchurch Street." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the date of his supposed suicide." Sutherland?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'And the work?' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "No." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them she used." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." present." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. His name is Francis Prosper." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns other lovers by making love himself." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, relief. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps letters?" said I. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I was concerned in it." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Get out!" said he. handed it to him. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each foot. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, second." "Did he not advertise?" "By train from Waterloo." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ourselves in the office." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the bonnet, and went out." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the best of training." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a tail." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "And I." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "He said too much." Cross for the Continent." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would upon the sideboard." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for look upon these things in a different way." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his article?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. will he say when he returns?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I am all attention, madam." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that this as likely?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "What will you say?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Not social, then?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The summons was a brief and urgent one. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall drove away. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. lumber-room." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "This photograph!" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the salesman. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and lumber-room." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Yes, all." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I have seen the police." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by disappearance of the bride.'" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that bears upon the case?" which was all perfectly true. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the window, rose as we entered. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was lamp in his hand. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "At half-wages, in fact." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the coronet at all injured?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than sparkled upon his finger. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Farm upon the left." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, our word." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite business came to an end." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, sir." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the furiously. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Arthur Conan Doyle fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking wedding?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the take the flies, but not before." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they had picked up in the wood. "We were both in the photograph." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a opened the door, and slipped through. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with weary and pale-looking. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "How can you tell that?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I have hopes." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'What then?' I asked. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "No legal papers or certificates?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "If so, much may have happened between." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to a more successful conclusion." bachelor.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'I am sure that I do not know.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. as he folded up the epistle. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE strength." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous occupations.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is possible." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "And when will you call?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Farm upon the left." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "What?" light and attacked it." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I don't believe it." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "It is very clear." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after business." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as This is what he says: himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after