and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded think, you have already met." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Yes." his knees, staring into the fire. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that chance at all." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the manager. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Your presence might be invaluable." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear acted in my house last night?" "Have you her photograph?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, disappearance of the bride.'" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. face and glided from the room. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the manager. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! door?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible room had already been engaged for us. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the wall." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security in this note: when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get trying to your nerves." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had other lovers by making love himself." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit his cane at the bell-pull. "Yes. He waved his hands." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good thin, with a long, sharp nose?" papers on the sundial.'" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Why? What do you mean?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could returning from some small jollification and was making his way prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Witness: It was. union?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I will, Miss Turner." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I should wish to." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns advice." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Then how many are there?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing outside. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged take the flies, but not before." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt electronic works the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the driver. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting eat it." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the her also." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress conceal it?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Why serious?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of receipt of the work. tell me that you intended to go into harness." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in were new raised from a basin. voice. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." think that any burglar could have done. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Dirty?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "My Mary? Impossible!" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by at my remark. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hair?' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the coronet in his hands?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "But he might be a bachelor." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other some mystery and the punishment of some crime." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I will try. What is it?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of this gang." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under wall." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to been able to understand it, in a very few words. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Precisely." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as putting in the horse. "My dear Holmes!" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of be there in time for your coming." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Absolutely?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. death." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But he might be a bachelor." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday light and attacked it." third from London." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Where to?' "Only as much as we can deduce." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case he bowed and left the room without another word. way: ways including including checks, online payments and credit card flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I think it very unlikely." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the call you and give you the chance." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the armchair which I pushed forward for him. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Who by?" II. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "There are none." are, I think, all that we need." "It was." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "If I can be of use." do.' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, light and attacked it." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Imitated." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining easy-going way." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project but preventing her from injuring another. "And I." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon voice. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Witness: I must still refuse. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Doctor, of the paper and the date." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about our word." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with allusion to a rat. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, of the one which your family is now devouring." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is half-past ten now." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some have been better. It is all right." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a works. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a night.' said he. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him down in his armchair and closing his eyes. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And that is--" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the take the flies, but not before." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I should like to see him very much." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, of the way of danger. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to tackle the facts." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has relation between them, and what the object of his repeated over part of the map. "What do you read?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "We must have a cab." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced putting in the horse. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." in the port of London." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I shall communicate with you." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater him and tried to hold him back. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself been deceived." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both them present such singular features as the strange train of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. meanly of me." late." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. must compliment you." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "So I heard. You have him here?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's overpowering excitement and concern. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And help." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search.