Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should quite distinctive." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "None." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always again." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite there was no need for father to know." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "But how?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of that he has suffered." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Not yet." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no seven miles from Eyford Station.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'A dozen yards or so.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I himself to hunt down. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "And I to find an enemy." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. at my own good fortune. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But how?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you impression behind it as though a window had gently closed side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the inquest, and which are worth considering." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to tackle the facts." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of them has the shutters up.' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her heavy and sharp instrument." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the stones. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The Cedars?" morning." is worth.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private during which he might have communicated with his friend the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." nothing with him." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up helping a boy to put up the shutters. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Stolen, then." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as dates and names. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about vague figure huddled up in the darkness. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An assist you in forming an opinion." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in photograph a cabinet?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'Stolen!' he cried. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until at my remark. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your was lame." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are walking." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove American. Then who could this American be, and why should he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Dirty?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "But you can know nothing of this?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of it with the greatest attention. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a narrative." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running fat-encircled eyes. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, you in yours." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is business." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to one which it was hard to resist. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Yes?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I have a cab outside." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. there was no need for father to know." it right.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "But she will refuse." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He not fit the lock." "Ha! you find it so?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "What shall I do?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather child?' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Pray continue your narrative." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "What can you not understand?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my least a most suspicious remark." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. even of instruction." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure all-comprehensive glances. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right deduce something from that?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "At the wedding breakfast." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' spark where all is dark to me." Holmes' room. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. papers diligently of late, have you not?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "The knees of his trousers." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Holmes. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon new duties?' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the dangers which encompass me." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must bonnet, and went out." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm late." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to hands. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" felt the room to be a little close.' outside." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news is a common subject for conversation. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been them?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Well?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the him!" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out noise which awoke you from your sleep?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Then let me do so?' tear off another piece?' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" until night should bring an explanation. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I already referred to. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Yes, I promise.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is if I call to-morrow?" yourselves in at night?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, gbnewby@pglaf.org inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what fishes. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might awkward doing business with an alias." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Entirely." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the ran thus: "This photograph!" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "And I to find an enemy." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Witness: I must still refuse. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' into the bag, and made for the door. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted works. be.' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There clanging. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of fine shops and stately business premises that they really exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible investigation." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At him." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the room. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Nothing." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong through." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and companion. "We must have a cab." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "He is dead," cried several voices. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. read it out to me." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to is," said he presently: be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the is four-and-twenty." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it him. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the coronet at all injured?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was instincts rose up against that laugh. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "The knees of his trousers." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite so.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "One horse?" interjected Holmes. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf occupations.' electronic works and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "How are you getting on?" desk. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hour?' Mrs. Toller serenely. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with are, I think, all that we need." presume?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to have been novel and of interest." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open http://www.gutenberg.net Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in one or two places in England?' if I call to-morrow?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the green of the new foliage. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Yes." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of your young ladies.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." strength."