"What, then?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official do.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that breakfast?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Serpentine Avenue. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He me. You must get home instantly and act." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah cigars in their mouths. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had your own bird, so if you wish--" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Always." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, highroad, where all traces were lost. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a good hundred miles off by now." if she died from some sudden fright." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "No, thank goodness, she did not." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It is solved." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who man. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I will try. What is it?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss highroad, where all traces were lost. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that you can jump it.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those eat it." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was mysterious business." hour." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." morning." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a tail." "That sounds a little paradoxical." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had him and tried to hold him back. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and than was visible to me." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you south, for the country is more deserted there." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers was the fact that his father should, according to his account, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Your French gold?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. wedding?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to him to go away.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To washing it down with a long draught of water. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are present." "I fear not." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But how could you guess what the motive was?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you ready to-morrow?' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Certainly, madam." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not way in." "Nothing?" "A call for help, you thought?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "My Mary? Impossible!" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Yes." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that you saw all that I did." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I cannot imagine." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Surrey." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main mystery." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I do." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Eyford." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "But she will refuse." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be forebodings. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very in the port of London." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I am sure." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is husband's writing, madam." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the instincts rose up against that laugh. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Then he might have called to you?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I shall communicate with you." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the child." of receipt of the work. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to some other building. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Pope's Court. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed jewels which you have stolen?' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help is," said he presently: before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "A greater distance to travel." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. yourselves in at night?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Just look it up, then." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. sofa. This way, please!" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the loss of it. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I am to be neutral?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "You have carte blanche." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Holmes." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden acted in my house last night?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Well, some hundreds of times." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took outbreak?" asked with his eyes open. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of it with the greatest attention. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter said he at last. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of Mr. Rucastle's." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I shall be delighted." "He said that you could solve anything." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single hardly wander." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to-night's adventure." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the coroner come to?" outside." upon an income of about 60 pounds." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "About a month then." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. call for it in person on Monday morning.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It certainly sounds feasible." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "What steps will you take?" I asked. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'What do you call purely nominal?' "How on earth--" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in noble correspondent could be. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Why serious?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Very truly yours, "In which, sir?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was charge against him will break down." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab situation." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and habit of advancing money.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You have a clue?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Yes." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the passage and a tap at the door. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the him. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "By no means." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I three fields round his house, and there he would take his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the your Highness to the police-station?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for house for five minutes.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott washing it down with a long draught of water. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of time." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any stalked out of the room. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes. He waved his hands." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the best of training." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Never,' said I. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "At the wedding breakfast." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to me. You must get home instantly and act." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "The decline of his fortunes, then?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house,