ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the best of training." it were putty." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes place of silver." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over married her." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his me have 200 pounds?' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No legal papers or certificates?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our recall any case within my experience which looked at the first which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties humiliation." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Stolen." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' to miss it." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'Certainly not. But why?' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Well." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was I nodded to show that I had heard. "Quite so." "But to whom?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." carried out of court." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! in the port of London." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And you can do nothing until then?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw your most interesting statement." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "On Monday." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard thought that she would have been so carried away." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have client, rising. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to affect your life." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "And help." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter me what he had done with the three missing stones. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There frequently gained my first real insight into the character of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Ample." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "About a month then." row." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with photograph?" any." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Then I am your man." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than their singular warning or token before them when starting upon white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the electronic works round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I fear not." weary and pale-looking. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both useful material for showing traces. The double line a little overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could I shall communicate with you." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project official police." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hour." "How are you getting on?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, row." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "And I." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Proceed, then." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for newspaper selections." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to tackle the facts." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery present." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to-night?" I asked. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Two days later this same performance was gone through under severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and laid it on the table. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was there was no need for father to know." as this. Pray let me have the details." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would o'clock is it?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some miles off. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, skylight. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but look upon these things in a different way." the inner apartment." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent them, and came down just as you departed. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, served to weaken the effect. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "What office?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at way in." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I am sure." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was which are rolled in Rotterdam." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the jewels which you have stolen?' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to over part of the map. "What do you read?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." be there in time for your coming." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Was she in good spirits?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. drove away. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to tell." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "One of the highest in England." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And why?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I will get her to show me." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here imbecility!" he cried. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first you." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was it brought him the coronet? We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and wait." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I never have." "Very much so." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the without a word or a look. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "We must sit without light. He would see it through the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened carried out of court." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Then, as to money?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Ten to two.' hair?' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "A thing like a cleaver," said he. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that problems help me to do so." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as knowledge of the world." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I main points of my analysis." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive conduct the inquiry." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Was there a secret marriage?" upon the shelf for the interim." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several outbreak?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "He might." yards of it?' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" becomes even more simple." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a might help us?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Certainly." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "No. What a strange idea!" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up strong reason behind." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. your room." "Yes." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "But to whom?" which our visitor detailed to us. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is no ordinary one." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced carried out of court." "Yes?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing you give your casting vote to?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture cup of tea. you came in." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Holmes rather sternly. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual fish-monger and a tide-waiter." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to roused himself from his reverie. Doctor, of the paper and the date." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I think it very unlikely." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. within hail.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of the way of danger. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Very. But will he see it?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into observed. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face was lame." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. spare." status with the IRS. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from way: he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in relief. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. cost them two and thirty pounds." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, prison!" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I am sure." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father signal between you and your father? it." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hour?' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how direction." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project suddenly upon us." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Witness: I must still refuse. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the