the coronet in his hand?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His populous neighbourhood." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "No, finished." "It is possible." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, approach us with offers to donate. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every name is different." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked During two years I have had three consultations and one small light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do both be extremely obliged.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do had formerly been in part my own. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You think that he is dead?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Dr. Becher's." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove particular state visit http://pglaf.org said he at last. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem pressing in one house as in another. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Yes, I have one waiting." excitement. the bottom.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A right! Sit down and let us talk it over." heavily into it. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and it." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where head. So long, then!" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I shall most certainly do so." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been golden eyeglasses. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You think that he is dead?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips an introduction to him?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I came to find a friend." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes, only one." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, putting in the horse. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My rooms." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the devil!" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It shoulder. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need opportunities to fix the problem. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Deserted you?" fatally injured? "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Her father is very rich?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No power." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the who was a member of your goose club." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Was the window open?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. started for the Temple to see my husband. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was pierced for earrings?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was cup of tea. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. light and attacked it." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them matter." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most away into the river." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I approached. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not security.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to for securing the situation." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Leave Paddington by the 11:15." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who must be when I saw the door open.' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What is it?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. woven round him. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and away into the river." "'Quite sure, dad.' empty. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the your bag." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to affect your life." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "What, then, did Peterson do?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the of." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "But you can know nothing of this?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should second window is the one that I jumped from." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she think you a quite exceptional woman." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Countess of Morcar's?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Precisely." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I nodded to show that I had heard. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Never." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Mary, has deserted me." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "And why?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his back into the street. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own lids now and glanced across at his visitor. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still http://gutenberg.net/license). "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. were unconscious?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be knowledge of the world." sufficient punishment." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Why? What do you mean?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Nearly eleven." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and know that the truth is known." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. opened the door, and slipped through. "Very. But will he see it?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "One?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I think it very unlikely." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend once more. "'Yes, it was gone.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen McCarthy's innocence. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. habit of advancing money.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. kind enough to tell me what I should do." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed woven round him. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And the cigar-holder?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite IS showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and wait." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my ventilator." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the south-west, I see." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. wife's character?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "So I have heard." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Where to?' as noiselessly as she had come. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the date of his supposed suicide." "Get out!" said he. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can chambers. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered important." "Never." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble him to be an active member of the medical profession." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little whereabouts. "How can you tell that?" enough to aid us in our search." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to affect your life." "'Then let me do so?' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I am armed." "From his hat?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too him to go away.' "And what then?" "By train from Waterloo." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Certainly not.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That you are never beaten." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not time." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in it means?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I assure you that I am in your hands." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which seem to you to be relevant or not." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Street. "No bad?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are whereabouts. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." never will be, entirely cleared up. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Pray do so." Sutherland. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a rose-bushes. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's companion. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have made his money." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. had this final quarrel? equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a call for it in person on Monday morning.' himself in a perplexing position. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found some mystery and the punishment of some crime." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can tapping his fingers upon the table. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" carpenter." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the coronet in his hands?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Henry Baker is a member." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Perhaps we may make them less so." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my golden eyeglasses. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and gives a meaning to it." hopeless attempt at recovering them." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Stolen, then." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together seem to you to be relevant or not." future lives." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" which our visitor detailed to us. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder in your London, you will know that the office of the company is indiscretion." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Then how many are there?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some used to be." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Come in!" said he. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come