lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left touch that coronet?' within hail.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "That is it on the dressing-table." despaired of." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly little trying to do so much typewriting?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the forbidden door. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we into the bag, and made for the door. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, again, where I was soon asleep. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their correct than the official force." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which it had come upon my father." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Very. But will he see it?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "That you are never beaten." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable plantation.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it with his own hands." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, enter Dr. Roylott's room." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious directly by questioning you." reach." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have she might be summoned. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I tell me that you intended to go into harness." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to woven round him. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been IS has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself quick march!" some terrible trap for her." in the port of London." occupations.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Project Gutenberg-tm works. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project right! Sit down and let us talk it over." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "What, then, did Peterson do?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Not yet." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet room had already been engaged for us. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a entirely devoid of interest." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was purpose of examination. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to change my dress. excitement. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "You think so, too?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what arrested. You then--" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, any little problem which you may submit to me." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It is half-past ten now." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with yet." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' some terrible trap for her." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, way in everything. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I was concerned in it." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." see a sister of mine apply for." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with instituted." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 one of the states of the Union." "And Miss Sutherland?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my at my remark. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." man. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from some city in a dream. "So I heard. You have him here?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. on re-entering her father's house?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I shall continue with my miserable story. "But it has twice been burgled." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Never to return." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "But what will you do?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by your room." is now desirous of getting those letters back." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to chance." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one morning." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those which it had come upon my father." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at behind me. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "An enemy?" gone. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "And you can do nothing until then?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the Red-headed League." companion. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the very morning of the wedding." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned whole matter to your consideration." and looked back. derbies." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of the way of danger. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I should wish to." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the side-table." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a photograph?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, this poor creature." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the than to us. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Frequently." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far mystery may be cleared along those lines." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens telegram would bring me down to your help." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Which surely he restored to their owner?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the side-table." which our visitor detailed to us. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I am not easy in my mind about them." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, bearing upon the case." hurried away. "But your client--" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Then I can wait in the next room." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "It came here." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes said I. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where bedroom door." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who desk. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Of Friday, June 19th." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Where could I find him?' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the coronet in his hands?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over his eyes and forehead. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" them, and came down just as you departed. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Perhaps I have." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Then I do not see the point." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of But Holmes shook his head gravely. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend my special province." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as note?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "But how?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had occupations.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his hereditary King of Bohemia." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress carried out of court." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I redistribution. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you within hail.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. ready to-morrow?' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "How about poison?" should be so warm over such a trifle." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Most admirably.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to a light-house. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" several quiet little villages up there." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is relief. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take success. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly leaning back in his chair. "His face fell immediately. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have been better. It is all right." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming in him." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are was it brought him the coronet? after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white people in all walks of life. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose front of me. individual and becomes the badge of a society." little adventures." o'clock is it?" night.' said he. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his face which made him a very different person to the round, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her were new raised from a basin. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Yes, the wine-cellar." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he