"I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, in his hands." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the mystery may be cleared along those lines." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my better in every way that they should make their position a little that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you least a most suspicious remark." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Stolen, then." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Nothing?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I shall be delighted." "But I am all in the dark." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such until night should bring an explanation. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast occurred." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. you for a few hours?" him to go away.' go back?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Stolen, then." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes The summons was a brief and urgent one. showing my impatience. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which laugh and put his lips to my ear. your most interesting statement." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of think you a quite exceptional woman." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "A call for help, you thought?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Stoke Moran." "'Yes, sir.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to said I. "And Miss Sutherland?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Then how many are there?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and looked back. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but go back?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But what will you do?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "She walked into the breakfast-room." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed promised to bring home. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Game for a morning drive?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate it. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell will he say when he returns?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told he. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "What do you make of that, Watson?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, attention." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the tragedy. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "It's nothing of the kind." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I should like to see him very much." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and noting anything else of interest. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of your young ladies.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Not in a good cause." over here." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "No, distinctly professional." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son it." writing, and yet I know it well." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he certainly not very gracious." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked ourselves in the office." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Then you may be so with me." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had my little problems." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is true that I have been generally successful." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley tension within him. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new detained." mystery!" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and this poor creature." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Clair, of Lee." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I beg pardon." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the out of this horrible affair." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The said he at last. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I was afraid that you were engaged." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in his hands." married her." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to matter." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "What shall I do?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with you alone." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I assure you that I am in your hands." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Have you good authority for what you say?" there!' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. signal between you and your father? believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Pool. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "An enemy?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." o'clock is it?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in clanging. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I say it is." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' narrative." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "By train from Waterloo." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding meant." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it detained." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'And what salary do you ask?' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning him nearly every evening." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and glanced through. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. call for it in person on Monday morning.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a neither fascinating nor artistic." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. them?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of minor matters until to-morrow." "Not particularly." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout you?' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "In which, sir?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, what is your own theory as to what took place?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "None." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in goes." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there entirely lost his self-respect." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and round and wave him away like that.' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining morning." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that you can jump it.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes, he did." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was it brought him the coronet? As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of orange pips. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen way: "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is II. "This photograph!" written, and locked the door of the office after me. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a good hundred miles off by now." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, absorbing." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though whatever might befall. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied felt the room to be a little close.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. this unhappy family?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached could not have written that. It is the German who is so Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough cheerful." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned were new raised from a basin. "Not yet." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all point our research must commence, and we will begin it by family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate you." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could entirely lost his self-respect." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and carpenter." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Which surely he restored to their owner?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. a monotonous occupation." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very take the flies, but not before." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It is solved." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of matter." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Certainly,' I answered. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance you in your example." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from begin with, and I had not got mine yet." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "What office?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Precisely." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "The doctor?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'And the work?' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond did not hear it also.' "When did it break out?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom fishes. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when point in the dark hollow of his hand. carriage. It was a chestnut." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not