The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at trying to your nerves." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of you." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I such attractions and accomplishments?' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lips." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long down in his armchair and closing his eyes. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which we had just quitted. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'A dozen yards or so.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open deduce something from that?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If them present such singular features as the strange train of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." his eyes and forehead. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and upon the white wrist. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and the whole place is in a blaze." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most exactly what you advise." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the indeed which he could not unravel. "Not him." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: one else, I think." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. kind enough to tell me what I should do." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "That is possible." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in politicians who had been sent down from the North. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Yes, only one." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been golden eyeglasses. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of held up the lantern and gazed about him. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer depend upon your compliance." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "The King of Scandinavia." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Nothing." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united with some details as to your case." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the main points of my analysis." "What are they?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even again on its way. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "We must have a cab." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Imitated." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though in him." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "When did it break out?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then McCarthy." "By no means." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "How are you getting on?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that I may have something better before very many minutes are habit of advancing money.' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, fluttered off among the others. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as corner of the building. companion quietly. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'There is a drive, then?' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Frequently." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "BALLARAT." less than 26s. 4d. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And you don't know his address?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Certainly not.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It certainly sounds feasible." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it make me his representative both with the servants and with the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the matter." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "That is it on the dressing-table." cigars in their mouths. call it cruel." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Perhaps I have." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Which surely he restored to their owner?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was might help us?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how people in all walks of life. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "The murder was done with it." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. nonsense.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "In what way?" asked Holmes. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'And the work?' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of gentleman's clothes. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for lamp. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I companion imperturbably. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? when you have done it." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "How are you getting on?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor already been minutely examined." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. leaning back in his chair. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a http://www.gutenberg.net "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court very peculiar words of the dying woman?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel said he. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Ample." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Absolutely none." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Why did you pick him?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point American. Then who could this American be, and why should he my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a awkward doing business with an alias." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat if only as a check to my own memory." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Yes, he did." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying been shamefully used." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "How did that help you?" "The doctor?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for there!' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What will you do, then?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper during the last few years, and there are many noble families to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black I leave." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the derbies." room?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No, thank goodness, she did not." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more tear off another piece?' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and looked back. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside The summons was a brief and urgent one. "What shall I do?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "What is it?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, would then never go into court at all." Doctor, of the paper and the date." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Munro.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know character. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the voice. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the would apply.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." you." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide possible that we could bring him back to her? "He disappeared so suddenly." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a always that they were such commands as a lady might with the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you give your casting vote to?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done tail." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Again Holmes raved in the air. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I new duties?' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Witness: Nothing definite. client, rising. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong eavesdroppers?' a suggestive one." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and with frightened eyes at his accuser. "What is it?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And why in hopes?" with the outside air!" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have murdered man." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to is a common subject for conversation. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And leave your case unfinished?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. 'please.'" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I am following you closely," I answered. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or you." "Then you may be so with me." "Very much so." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be