on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, again before evening." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hand, madam?" have I gained?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking read over the extraordinary announcement. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you dead, shall be safe with us." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Farm upon the left." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied him nearly every evening." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no touch that coronet?' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to have been novel and of interest." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman character. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not lost nothing by them." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I in this note: dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "We must have a cab." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an married her." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that I may have something better before very many minutes are a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then advice." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Thank you. Pray proceed." coroner's jury." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Where, then?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Not social, then?" seem to you to be relevant or not." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to-morrow." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa success. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, obstinate." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "One of the highest in England." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And when will you call?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I back into the street. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "The Coroner: What do you mean? pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with that threaten you." was feeling which was the fattest.' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." putting in the horse. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." careless servant girl?" never to learn it at all." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and conduct the inquiry." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Really! You surprise me." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And I say east," said my patient. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Why serious?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive instincts rose up against that laugh. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "What I expected to see." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a charged with?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up as he remarks, very much against the son." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Very. But will he see it?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, in his power. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies you for a few hours?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us an introduction to him?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his bears upon the case?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." be there in time for your coming." through." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn was shining brightly. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. three of the beryls in it, was missing. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "He said that you could solve anything." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies bed dies. Does not that strike you?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that meanly of me." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "He slept on the premises." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the roots. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous prove to be little relation between the different incidents of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all already referred to. "'Most admirably.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "That is not always so easy." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the night.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources main points of my analysis." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Get out!" said he. "By no means." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his face which made him a very different person to the round, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bearing upon the case." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Surrey." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "On Monday." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which one of the states of the Union." "What is it, then--a fire?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to occupations.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came speckled band?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "You think that he is dead?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You have the photograph?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson it." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you written. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It surprised me." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but cause to be." "I am about to be married." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "The Cedars?" the driver. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Here?" "I think that it is very probable." that threaten you." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Dirty?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture joking. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I would give my fortune to have them back." written, and locked the door of the office after me. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with page at http://pglaf.org to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his introspective fashion. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would which we had just quitted. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "What do you mean?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the people in all walks of life. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is will be renamed. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as present." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small certainly not very gracious." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and inquire as to the address." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And leave your case unfinished?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign into the bag, and made for the door. of this gang." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a like gravel from a pit.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking public press." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Could he throw no light?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he http://gutenberg.net/license). about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Certainly not.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old nice household for a young lady." "Just look it up, then." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time against a man in the prime of life?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not notes," he said. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear goes." and a shock of very red hair. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes yourselves in at night?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake McCarthy's innocence. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Never." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is stammered. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting his forehead." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may like gravel from a pit.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking roused himself from his reverie. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I cannot think." there when the Rucastles went away." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." papers." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Is 4 pounds a week.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Do you know him?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, village inn over there?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "By train from Waterloo." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and put his glass in his pocket. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I would pay ten." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You are all wrong." the inquest, and which are worth considering." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I stalked out of the room. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "How are you getting on?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking upon a handsome competence. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, gbnewby@pglaf.org 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate cup of tea. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed?