north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. him to go away.' "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of not as remarkable as your advertisement." chambers. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad sound at heart." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. true." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Just look it up, then." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "What of the rat, then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or awaited us upon the table. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What then?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Yes." waste of energy." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "That's no good." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our distance from the station, and there we found the young lady cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an your only hope of safety." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I will do it." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your main points of my analysis." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it ventilator." "What! a murderous attack?" key turn in the lock." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact or other trace. But how on earth--" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Yes." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert when your master had gone out." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. papers must be those that are destroyed.' voice. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "The doctor?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "And your mother is alive?" "Here?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable sofa. This way, please!" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which ordinary clothes on?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "You know me, then?" generous with you in money matters.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from least a most suspicious remark." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was straighten it?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of his grey eyes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to house for five minutes.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. future lives." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." highroad, where all traces were lost. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in was a lad." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, security.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as peculiar to him. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of own family. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "At the wedding breakfast." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And how in the world did you find them?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. passage and a tap at the door. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and ago." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "No, my brougham is waiting." "And what did you see?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was when your master had gone out." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the coronet in his hand?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Where, then?" "'I have heard so.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in events, Mr. Windibank!" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. is acting for the best. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side like that before?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "To an end?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." on in his house." there when the Rucastles went away." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such happened." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Breckinridge is his name." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between posted to-day." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "How long did she speak to this Alice?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but furiously. London for the present?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day directors, with the result that you have seen." disturbance in my wife." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally shoulder. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic But Holmes shook his head gravely. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Not him." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "No." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" putting in the horse. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the very morning of the wedding." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Seven!" I answered. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder appeal." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand go--none." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not come at once?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not again before evening." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same families. Now for the facts. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Certainly, madam." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple quick march!" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into seem to you to be relevant or not." Chief Executive and Director considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I approached. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it official police." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the putting in the horse. "To an end?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of voice. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and guilty parties." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, crowd. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a grasp, he hurried from the room. noting anything else of interest. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And when will you call?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I should wish to." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the sufficient punishment." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET so.' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, affair. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything details." detained." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and capable of preserving a secret.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of new duties?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for drove away. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong placed his cuttings. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I held the little printed slip to the light. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Can I be of assistance?" the bottom.' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" later, upon the night of May 2nd." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is half-past ten now." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I nodded to show that I had heard. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" house for five minutes.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. see a sister of mine apply for." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a my friend's incisive reasoning. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done she used." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." into the bag, and made for the door. away to you." "What is it?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to tell." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you think that he is innocent?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different gone. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey certainly do as you advise." "Why did you pick him?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them as the one I chose?' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of will take you up to see the machine.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not business came to an end." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I