mysterious business." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my had formerly been in part my own. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted constraint." awkward doing business with an alias." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the him to be an active member of the medical profession." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite is acting for the best. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! public press." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "May I see it?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need you." Eyford." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I fear not." him nearly every evening." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but recall any case within my experience which looked at the first a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And I say east," said my patient. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that you saw all that I did." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. dear old homesteads?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." you give your casting vote to?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Witness: I must still refuse. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in a friendly supper." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a late!' "Come in!" said Holmes. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Ha! you find it so?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again begun to whiten, even as mine has." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is on re-entering her father's house?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "How did you trace it, then?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "No, my brougham is waiting." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle train.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "What have you to say now?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied breakfast and whispered something to her husband. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before jewels which you have stolen?' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found made him keep the appointment." heavily into it. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "And Miss Sutherland?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. had this final quarrel? until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "But how could you guess what the motive was?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "My Mary? Impossible!" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and did not hear it also.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young been shamefully used." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which not as remarkable as your advertisement." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and a shock of very red hair. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Have you her photograph?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "In which, sir?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "10th. John Swain cleared. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. in his hands." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No sign of it?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the would apply.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have I gained?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were o'clock is it?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be delirious. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "None." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "On your arm?" gone. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Nothing." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hard-headed British jury." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." one of them." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "What will you do, then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "And you can do nothing until then?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Yes, but only for you and me." "That's no good." what I may call a really hard day's work." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his forehead." "But who is he?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "He is still with you, I presume?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average 'I should be able to look after that for you.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with them, and came down just as you departed. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them pity, because in other respects you would really have done very that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is half-past ten now." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door there was no need for father to know." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies asked. are, I think, all that we need." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I do." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of his face which made him a very different person to the round, morning." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Leave Paddington by the 11:15." never came back." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into train.' strong and stiff." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and amused." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same dates and names. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The do you make of it all?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your towards the blaze. new duties?' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Where, indeed?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "And now?" I asked. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man pound a week." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of these bleak autumnal evenings." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "He said too much." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, know what is wrong with it.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "My opinion is in no way altered." have established a very serious case against the son of the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that lamp in his hand. "Not in the least." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it jewels which you have stolen?' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I am all attention, madam." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I came to find a friend." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Not in a good cause." eavesdroppers?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the lips." situation." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Nor running a chance of arrest?" them?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Nearly eleven." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two business matters.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'And what salary do you ask?' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Pool. read it out to me." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace think that he is innocent?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing mysterious end." was keenly on my guard against him. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. back to my heart. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I would pay ten." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sooner or later she must fall a victim. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in advice." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "The Coroner: What do you mean? pressing in one house as in another. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had people don't know." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the coronet in his hands?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "The decline of his fortunes, then?" he. outside." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Then, how do you know?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour next day. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stood on the top of it. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I cannot tell." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. bonnet, and went out." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Why, it's a dummy," said he. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "None." redistribution. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. on re-entering her father's house?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little stood on the top of it. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the posted to-day." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and been deceived." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in this way: about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the other lovers by making love himself." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut ventilator." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the little opening for the ventilator is." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. girl said." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Then you may entirely rely on me." throat." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the very morning of my second wedding." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in about. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly like that before?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, he did." light and attacked it." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not with her." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I have solved it." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own