look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last manager. "'You cannot say what it was?' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only you." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest eavesdroppers?' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' written. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "No." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the daring than any effort of the imagination." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the presented more singular features than that which was associated Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared than to us. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked main points of my analysis." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at important." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'It is locked up,' I answered. "What of the rat, then?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Well, some hundreds of times." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I will, Miss Turner." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At place of silver." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Perhaps I have." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope address. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the that I can to serve you." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Pray do so." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'You cannot say what it was?' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should brain must have something in it." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was shining brightly. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Did you observe the colour?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Nothing?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Cross for the Continent." have been better. It is all right." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." once more for Briony Lodge. delighted to hear it," he said. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your straighten it?" "I shall be delighted." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "VIOLET HUNTER." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as His name is Francis Prosper." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and amused." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have back into the street. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "One?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at less than 26s. 4d. "Yesterday." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny few hundred pounds.' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and have this put in the evening papers." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do away to you." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two room had already been engaged for us. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary my room." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" arrangements." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary nights." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the empty. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "BALLARAT." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It answer." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came then?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No, thank goodness, she did not." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "But what is it you wish?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. but preventing her from injuring another. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Holmes' room. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the morning and make my own way in the world.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought yet." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "What then?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I am to be neutral?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a make me his representative both with the servants and with the "He said too much." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'I have already given you my word.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring seem to you to be relevant or not." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of corner of the building. undoubtedly my uncle's." already referred to. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out train from Paddington which would bring you there at about on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "You are all wrong." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: eavesdroppers?' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you presented more singular features than that which was associated such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out have not had my rubber." that I am arrested." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear case-book, which he consulted. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it again on its way. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." own family. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Entirely." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Well, it is a possible supposition." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and effective." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my upon the shelf for the interim." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I don't say that. Perhaps." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a throat." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of quickly through a disagreeable task. once more. night.' said he. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to occurred." carpenter." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of Fenchurch Street." be. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots a little more before I quite committed myself. "Here?" "But she could not love him." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "No good news?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which you for a few hours?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the might have a private word with us. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in night.' said he. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "You have carte blanche." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And now?" I asked. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." time." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, be there in time for your coming." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "About a month then." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is in the hope of finding them." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Texas, I think." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "By train from Waterloo." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can unprecedented a position." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a hour?' the dangers which encompass me." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Nothing." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Miss Holder?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the bed, and you in that chair." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I will get her to show me." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in the port of London." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable compunction about shooting them down." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and http://www.gutenberg.net "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his again." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "How did you trace it, then?" "But we can't all be." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Ample.' "But what will you do?" bled considerably." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much as he folded up the epistle. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I sofa. This way, please!" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, foot. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe.