"'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from for and were ordered to this address. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "What will you say?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch her also." rat could hardly pass through." exactly what you advise." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before you." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and past. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by that?' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I was mad--insane." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "My dear Holmes!" some city in a dream. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the British peeress.'" miles off. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We that and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until strong reason behind." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness more terrible than the truth. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home power." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by disappearance of the bride.'" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET morning." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Doctor, of the paper and the date." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking events than those which have happened in my own family." tapping his fingers upon the table. that?' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke again." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the villagers almost as much as their master. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his his eyes and forehead. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I cannot say that I have." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have been better. It is all right." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Is purely nominal.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door hardly wander." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same only touch the interest." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I this Miss Turner." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "A call for help, you thought?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "And on what day did he meet his death?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of a light. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, fresh and glossy." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a call it cruel." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It is no ordinary one." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Pray do so." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'In my own bureau.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of Fenchurch Street." his face which made him a very different person to the round, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Just look it up, then." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. skylight. gone. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Ten will be early enough." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I know where it is." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the brandy and water within his reach. there is a decided draught." "Breckinridge is his name." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to never to learn it at all." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Witness: It was. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was feeling which was the fattest.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fattened it expressly for you.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will appointment with me for six o'clock?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By went to the Alpha were town bred." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened I held the little printed slip to the light. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the there." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. them?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, shaken than I had ever seen him. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in one of them." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Yes." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and looked back. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Yes, it was gone.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the joking. "And for present expenses?" "If so, much may have happened between." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited some city in a dream. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "In which, sir?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "So I have heard." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what of the one which your family is now devouring." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "He might." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Certainly." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, there are nearly always some there." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Was your sister dressed?" "The vanishing of the lady." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Was there a secret marriage?" "Nearly eleven." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Did you observe the colour?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if photograph?" will take you up to see the machine.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the What do you deduce from it?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Mary, has deserted me." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the opportunities to fix the problem. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Yes, from Horsham." presented more singular features than that which was associated really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "But his left-handedness." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same directly by questioning you." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is depend upon my doing so.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work shoulder; "he's all right." vanished into the darkness. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of learned something! Where are the gems?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind awkward doing business with an alias." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "None." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful about. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Precisely." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the driver. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." upon the shelf for the interim." remarked. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "No more words. Get out!" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "How many? I don't know." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and I shall be with you presently." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'Yes, sir.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation looking up at the numbers of the houses." to a more successful conclusion." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" speckled band?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave tell him that I know him to be innocent." which are rolled in Rotterdam." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door outside. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the matter?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "When did it break out?" the Red-headed League." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the answer." never came back." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my again before evening." envelope. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and seem to you to be relevant or not." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Yes, sir.' "VIOLET HUNTER." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the more terrible than the truth. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project astonishment. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I have already given you my word.' disappearance of these gems?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in ago." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the character. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and side. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the in the dead of the night?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I shall be delighted." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Gutenberg-tm License. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. as this. Pray let me have the details." colonel looking down at me.