digesting their breakfasts at home." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Never.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, me what he had done with the three missing stones. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. companion quietly. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house any." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But I have heard all that you have heard." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his correct than the official force." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while any little problem which you may submit to me." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beyond words. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "And did you observe any change in her then?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "A greater distance to travel." through." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the whereabouts. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "He said too much." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, was already answered. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events not within a twentieth part of the market price." works. "How often?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his face. your only hope of safety." question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a case-book, which he consulted. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all man. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to his chemical studies. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was not as remarkable as your advertisement." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no whereabouts. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Won't it ring?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to Leatherhead. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For waste of energy." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked infinite languor in his face. "'What then?' I asked. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided fishes. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "There are none." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that I may have something better before very many minutes are without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was it brought him the coronet? conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at floor. envelope. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It's nothing of the kind." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round pound a week." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Precisely." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which unprecedented a position." words came to my lips. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide a very grave face. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at drove away. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon 1.F. all that?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "In answer to an advertisement." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "And now?" He raised his hand. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It was an hour's good drive." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I will get her to show me." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have got?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than you in your example." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "We must have a cab." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of the one which your family is now devouring." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but lamp in his hand. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand quick march!" "Thank you. Pray proceed." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had been deceived." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to himself to tell his story. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his a room. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the place of silver." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "My opinion is in no way altered." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. handed it to him. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the she used." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, but preventing her from injuring another. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Could he throw no light?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "At what time?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Certainly,' I answered. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "One?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed this poor creature." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "How did that help you?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding away into the river." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." hurried by. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Gutenberg-tm License. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" on in his house." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of this gang." to me. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for handed it to him. delirious. of them has the shutters up.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "My last client of the sort was a king." walking." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering leaning back in his chair. felt the room to be a little close.' attention." you give your casting vote to?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It missed him, then?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Can I be of assistance?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Ten to two.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'It is locked up,' I answered. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was just called myself is not exactly my own." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I do." cause to be." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Holmes." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Not at all. I only doubt--' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may my special province." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the roots. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" without a word or a look. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a everything which you would wish to know." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Have you it here?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Chief Executive and Director "And help." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked wife's character?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the window, rose as we entered. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a your equipment. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have had none more fantastic than this." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Heh?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was was shining brightly. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It is no ordinary one." to-night's adventure." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the written. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'What, the red-headed man?' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the peculiar to him. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put matters immensely." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "And it is--" "By no means." "It looks newer than the other things?" for securing the situation." murdered man." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I should like to see him very much." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And how did you verify them?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side ceremony." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "What!" he roared. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never recover the gem." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone affection." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "He is still with you, I presume?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that he will be back before evening." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned writer." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could night.' said he. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable politicians who had been sent down from the North. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, golden eyeglasses. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to take care of herself." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Why? What do you mean?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite once more to my work. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland.