including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, would apply.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "The vanishing of the lady." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow crowd. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Yes, that is the Crown." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Then let me do so?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." coat-tails." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to arrive at through this?" row." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "The murder was done with it." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It goes to the housekeeper's room." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing distance from the station, and there we found the young lady myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes, sir." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: not personally threatened." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. went to the Alpha were town bred." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's figure." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "That is also quite modern," said the lady. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." attention." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance allusion to a rat. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it putting in the horse. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he felt the room to be a little close.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was The summons was a brief and urgent one. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: late." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Holmes. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I am still in the dark." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed key of the affair now." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover him and tried to hold him back. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a will be renamed. "My private note-paper." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "That was it, sir." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Do you know him?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I late." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we becomes even more simple." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his you want, then?' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or a room. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in colonel looking down at me. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Dark enough and sinister enough." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "That also I could fathom." possible that we could bring him back to her? "Her father is very rich?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many writers could invent nothing more crude." annoyance, but no jest. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine cigar and let me expound." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'And what are they worth?' I asked. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the dangers which encompass me." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself note?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that information in his hands the value of which he did not himself gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a man. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it particular state visit http://pglaf.org When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "But you have hopes?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "What have you to say now?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It must be recovered." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that know what is wrong with it.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and ran thus: together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the My friend smiled. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to a more successful conclusion." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and go from here to the Strand." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between him. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is back alive. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about my special province." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in the dead of the night?' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden o'clock is it?" "And why?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'How far from the body?' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your he bowed and left the room without another word. back alive. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from brain must have something in it." ready to-morrow?' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper bill, which interests me deeply." my little problems." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which 11:15.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And that is--" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Where does the thing come from?' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray opportunities to fix the problem. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy you understand?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said young Openshaw's." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, questionable one." papers must be those that are destroyed.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business other means.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and help us in this matter." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the ceiling. "That you are never beaten." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of developed." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he answer." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I will, Miss Turner." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in said he. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty not as remarkable as your advertisement." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was joking. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "On your arm?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Thank you. And your address?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for dead, shall be safe with us." what these perils are?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from ways of our fellow-men." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and with some details as to your case." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters information in his hands the value of which he did not himself us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "What of the rat, then?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in shall not find me ungrateful." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have get her out of the way." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hair?' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I take the flies, but not before." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither extraordinary contortions. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the putting in the horse. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a is worth.' just called myself is not exactly my own." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her make me his representative both with the servants and with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate manager. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and no precautions can guard against." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" this man was intellectual?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a feature." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Will you go?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are business." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the better in every way that they should make their position a little "Where did you address your letters, then?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became through." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was been lifted and conveyed somewhere." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face directors, with the result that you have seen." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive shaken than I had ever seen him. woman." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the room while you explain this matter?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "By no means." and I shall be with you presently." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the bottom.' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "In answer to an advertisement." Stoke Moran." kind enough to tell me what I should do." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the inquest, and which are worth considering." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "He said that you could solve anything." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still woven round him. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'I am sure that I do not know.'