future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Is he quiet?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Literary Archive Foundation I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Countess of Morcar's?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I was sure that I might rely on you." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses From what you have told me I think that it is possible that then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Munro.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove name is different." wedding?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the residence of the great financier. province." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House foresight and the moral retrogression?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before even so self-evident a thing as that." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from bore every mark of being an average commonplace British some city in a dream. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off too. strength in the others." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I cannot imagine." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. appointment with me for six o'clock?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was carried out of court." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" McCarthy." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John ourselves in the office." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I on in his house." "Not in a good cause." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the general public were present, then?" and the colonel ushered me in. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached sooner or later she must fall a victim. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and all of them with the keenest interest. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "To ruin me." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Yes.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat with her." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a McCarthy's innocence. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in voice. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an said he. "And you don't know his address?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is assist you in forming an opinion." Miss Holder?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was used.' there was no need for father to know." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by arrested. You then--" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest sneer upon his pale face. "I cannot say that I have." "From his hat?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his out of this horrible affair." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." companion imperturbably. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Have you her photograph?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our said Mr. Holder. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. against a man in the prime of life?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend a very grave face. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "What of the rat, then?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the very letters. But what is this written above them?' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Pope's Court. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the child." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some outsides of the windows. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It is true that I have been generally successful." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm visitors." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand London for the present?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take him!" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." of his shoulders. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "None." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great congenial hunt. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more answer." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Were they all fastened this morning?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of Mr. Rucastle's." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "And from a noble client?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Not him." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "What can you not understand?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am my friend's incisive reasoning. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Where could I find him?' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right ran thus: outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Where does the thing come from?' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "She will not sell." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where said he. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, from Horsham." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Dr. Gregory B. Newby but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yes, certainly." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And when will you call?" the coronet in his hands?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a disturbance in my wife." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out prepare for the new role I have to play." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "The gentleman I describe." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And what did you learn from him?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the row." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks your Highness to the police-station?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Did your wife hear all this?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him my room." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And Irene Adler?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "On the contrary, this is the right side." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. like gravel from a pit.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I rooms." his grey eyes. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to arrive at through this?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in place no limit on the sum I may draw." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Well?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "In heaven's name, what for?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lost nothing by them." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and passage and a tap at the door. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that?' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some room had already been engaged for us. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Again Holmes raved in the air. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Yesterday." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. occurred." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, distinctly professional." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by was not a bird to be seen there. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Literary Archive Foundation broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Edgeware Road. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'About the same.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee foresight and the moral retrogression?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded detained." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the devil!" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yesterday." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is then?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable status with the IRS. your only hope of safety." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the coronet at all injured?" "Which are?" "Not social, then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And what did you learn from him?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Here?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation already referred to. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What do you mean?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped whereabouts. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low approach us with offers to donate. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He shaken than I had ever seen him. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you do.' "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the read it out to me."