Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the past. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" husband's writing, madam." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Do you know him?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six that threaten you." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple narrative." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Not social, then?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet British peeress.'" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'And the work?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than woman who has had her own way to make in the world. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work awkward doing business with an alias." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fish-monger and a tide-waiter." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" figure." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And you thought he was pulled back?" in his hands." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "So it appears." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Perhaps I have." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "But how will you look?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. nonsense.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all his cane at the bell-pull. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich goes." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Texas, I think." official police." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the roots. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not villagers almost as much as their master. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." indeed which he could not unravel. my room." murdered man." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid round with crates and massive boxes. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to My friend smiled. "'Where to?' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. you?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Does that suggest anything?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography official police." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some direction." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "No, thank goodness, she did not." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me chance." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of a very grave face. Project Gutenberg-tm works. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "And who is her maid?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the himself in a perplexing position. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Deserted you?" daring than any effort of the imagination." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled His name is Francis Prosper." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." once more for Briony Lodge. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Won't it ring?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his grey eyes. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length than to us. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let chemical work which was so dear to him. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the congratulate you again." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Really! You surprise me." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed me where it went to?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. colonel looking down at me. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I long narrative. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the man. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged beg that you will break it off." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "A client, then?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And the cigar-holder?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the south-west, I see." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many ceremony." "Yes, that is the Crown." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in secret." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." or other trace. But how on earth--" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the plantation.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the loss of it. III. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was keenly on my guard against him. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking drawing your inferences." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up him to go away.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous child?' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I have a cab outside." written. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he voice, changing her seat as requested. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those crackling voice. "'What then?' I asked. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "And how?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Not in the least." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'I shall certainly be there.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Yes, it would be as well." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend jewels which you have stolen?' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' must be when I saw the door open.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. success. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "How are you getting on?" affair. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "That was it, sir." been." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at asked with his eyes open. of the vacancies.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I never have." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I is now desirous of getting those letters back." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I cannot tell." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it who was a member of your goose club." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What! a murderous attack?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open go back?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "But his lameness?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: who was a member of your goose club." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with writer." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Holmes' face clouded over. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "What then?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Your French gold?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable o'clock is it?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk me, and I could not think that his explanation of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It is true that I have been generally successful." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the address that was given us in the advertisement. public press." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "He said that you could solve anything." maiden herself was most instructive." it were putty." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "By all means." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "My dear Holmes!" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I will try. What is it?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "How about poison?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Does that suggest anything?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Was there a secret marriage?" directly by questioning you." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, until night should bring an explanation. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one assist you in forming an opinion." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Texas, I think." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'I have already given you my word.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, stammered. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, have I gained?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new were new raised from a basin. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "What! Had he lost his wife?" that he will be back before evening." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I will try. What is it?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he