Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of the vacancies.' "Certainly." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity in this note: He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is less than 26s. 4d. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his you came in." tell me that you intended to go into harness." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public father's young wife. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this done what I asked you, Jones?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." intrusion of other matters." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as friends, not even his own brother. "I am sure." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and crackling voice. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I see many objections to any such theory." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many call you and give you the chance." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced but preventing her from injuring another. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I have it here in my museum." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, entirely lost his self-respect." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. eat it." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Which dealer's?' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "What are they?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded believe that I should never have any practice at all. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Literary Archive Foundation bare slabs of marble. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "My dear Holmes!" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every friends, not even his own brother. with you alone." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "He slept on the premises." shoulder. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a awaited us upon the table. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full showing my impatience. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "The knees of his trousers." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Lee, in the county of Kent." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, attention." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you in yours." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Then, how do you know?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of than to us. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been been shamefully used." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "That was it, sir." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "My opinion is in no way altered." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Ten will be early enough." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in or other trace. But how on earth--" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes. He waved his hands." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, before, for it was considerably after midnight. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my way in everything. "And why in hopes?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "We have tried and failed." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian she used." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with crowd. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Just look it up, then." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her father's young wife. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too voice. "'What then?' I asked. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which least a fellow-countryman. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Where, indeed?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that think you a quite exceptional woman." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner breakfast." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how noble correspondent could be. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had front of me. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Foundation to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the night.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end spark where all is dark to me." "But you can know nothing of this?" "He might." "What have you to say now?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Very much so." "That also I could fathom." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right lamp. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something which our visitor detailed to us. the driver. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into ventilator." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through advice." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" it right.' meant." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to redistribution. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, name is different." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to against a man in the prime of life?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that threaten you." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have had none more fantastic than this." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the note?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The very morning of my second wedding." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "The Cedars?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will think, you have already met." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "What are they?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the coronet at all injured?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. appeared upon the scene." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his said he. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell not personally threatened." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to was not a bird to be seen there. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would upon the white wrist. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "That is easily got." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Sutherland. "I would pay ten." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' stammered. once more. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Ha! you find it so?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That also I could fathom." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I that I can to serve you." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with call the police, let the police find what they can.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Witness: It was. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being may never be exposed to such a temptation." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was you in your example." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers might help us?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin character. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I His smile broadened. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "What I expected to see." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Pray do so." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic him. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" off." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I would pay ten." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the strong and stiff." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day breakfast." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Your French gold?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was keenly on my guard against him. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any coroner's jury." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I nodded again. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An quick march!" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked pound a week." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little bird I ate is country bred." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "No." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "None." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the room while you explain this matter?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably note?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You have a clue?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Frequently." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Never.' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the matter." very morning of my second wedding." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which we had just quitted. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Certainly." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the me what he had done with the three missing stones. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, companion quietly. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he from the brougham. have accepted such a situation. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible where she found matters as described by the last witness. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of people in all walks of life. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.'