We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Lee, in the county of Kent." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who her also." "Entirely." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "To an English lawyer named Norton." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over lost his Christmas dinner." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Pray be precise as to details," said he. vanished into the darkness. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "10th. John Swain cleared. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, said I. "A confidential servant?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here long narrative. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her What do you deduce from it?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "None. Neville wrote those words." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Yes, sir." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Not social, then?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank his cane at the bell-pull. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe copied or distributed: We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the very morning of the wedding." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and with some details as to your case." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "You horrify me!" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Pray let us have it, for all that." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "How about poison?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "That was it, sir." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I am all attention, madam." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Then you may entirely rely on me." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and must be when I saw the door open.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and capable of preserving a secret.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, me have 200 pounds?' "My dear Holmes!" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by again on its way. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked good-night and bustled off upon her way. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Countess of Morcar's?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as awaited us upon the table. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he jewels which you have stolen?' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And it is--" lips." "I should be immensely obliged to you." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "No?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'About the same.' "I see many objections to any such theory." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, quite distinctive." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "The vanishing of the lady." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ceremony." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of the vacancies.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four chance." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." other lovers by making love himself." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we train.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked details." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" 1.E.9. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "It is half-past ten now." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a business?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may shoulder; "he's all right." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "My dear Holmes!" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster that he has suffered." it." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Was he the only applicant?" papers on the sundial.'" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. signal between you and your father? the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "By all means." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the King without delay." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed respectable self." golden eyeglasses. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he towards the blaze. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. had picked up in the wood. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, tapping his fingers upon the table. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "No, my brougham is waiting." peculiar to him. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. already been minutely examined." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "By all means." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. gone. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the License. You must require such a user to return or very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook it." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "How many? I don't know." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fled together." mystery may be cleared along those lines." should be taken.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Will you go?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. she used." door?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Perhaps we may make them less so." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere salesman. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of your Highness to the police-station?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "But his lameness?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her it." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "It is very kind of you." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Her father is very rich?" "Get out!" said he. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. comes from the middle window." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a may never be exposed to such a temptation." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or four million human beings all jostling each other within the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But your client--" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been gentleman's clothes. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely your equipment. "And how have you succeeded?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I would give my fortune to have them back." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He take the flies, but not before." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the his cane at the bell-pull. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I made his money." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what careless servant girl?" strong and stiff." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then, as to money?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I think that it is very probable." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the shoulder; "he's all right." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never floor. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the morning and make my own way in the world.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was perplexity from it to my illustrious client. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "She told me to ask you." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. entirely devoid of interest." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No. What a strange idea!" Leadenhall Street--and--" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, shoulder. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Eyford." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it is now desirous of getting those letters back." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. to tell." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "That is it on the dressing-table." Watson," he said cordially. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have bill, which interests me deeply." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "But how did you gain them?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they kindly on the shoulder. is," said he presently: neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still wanted for ourselves." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear less than 26s. 4d. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in you understand?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet goes." works. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I see many objections to any such theory." sooner or later she must fall a victim. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. outside." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I think it very unlikely." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a our word." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of your young ladies.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was done what I asked you, Jones?" everything which you would wish to know." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle photograph a cabinet?" Holmes." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my this remarkable episode. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hands. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he