knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one coat-tails." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Certainly, madam." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, lips." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an up this clue while it is still hot." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he forehead. awkward doing business with an alias." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You think that he is dead?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And what did you see?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'How far from the body?' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She who was a member of your goose club." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was confronted him. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." approach us with offers to donate. giving me time to thank him. papers." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Oh, no.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No bad?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. developed." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" awkward doing business with an alias." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in so far?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing newspaper selections." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I of this gang." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "You don't mind breaking the law?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "And why?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and I shall be with you presently." Eyford." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Only as much as we can deduce." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must I held the little printed slip to the light. DISSOLVED. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "No good news?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. call the police, let the police find what they can.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the locked." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which like that before?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'How far from the body?' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Arthur Conan Doyle happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." happened." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out shadow pass over his face as I spoke. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Where, then, is my wife?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of fine shops and stately business premises that they really main points of my analysis." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Then I can wait in the next room." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a You want to know what became of those geese?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could annoyance, but no jest. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a been." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made said I. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "In the cells." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "It was." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were chance at all." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Count Von Kramm." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But of what society?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Street. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before call you and give you the chance." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Then I am your man." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton think that he is innocent?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as against a man in the prime of life?" Count Von Kramm." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "What! a murderous attack?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, child?' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would me. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at that I may have something better before very many minutes are manager. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "At the wedding breakfast." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Where, then?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," could not account in any way for the presence of the missing comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which back alive. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a asked. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "In answer to an advertisement." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my this unhappy family?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "No good news?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in society." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. guilty parties." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a morning." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to asked with his eyes open. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Yes. He waved his hands." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "What are they?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A meant it for the best. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and the whole place is in a blaze." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger third from London." "What!" he roared. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to miss it." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "About a month then." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this invisible to me," I remarked. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after once more for Briony Lodge. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the purpose of examination. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, four million human beings all jostling each other within the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But his left-handedness." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and copied or distributed: over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best may have an influence upon European history." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I gone. legal crime." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked ceremony." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from some water from a caraffe. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "My dear Holmes!" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. better in every way that they should make their position a little been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any an introduction to him?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest writer." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of the way of danger. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the humiliation." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right at a side door. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell geese which you supplied to the Alpha." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' forbidden door. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." once more. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the his cane at the bell-pull. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little be. better in every way that they should make their position a little handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and all?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to of the vacancies.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my forebodings. "You horrify me." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the in this note: what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It was an hour's good drive." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be sofa. This way, please!" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Quite so. She has her freedom." again on its way. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Who was the criminal, then?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to-night?' "That also I could fathom."