number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was taking in every detail of the apartment. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" figure." "That also I could fathom." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was them?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "No, but the enclosure is." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the wife's character?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, entirely devoid of interest." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "One of the highest in England." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. letters?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I shall most certainly do so." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "That sounds a little paradoxical." have been better. It is all right." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "But how will you look?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in darkness. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "None." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do who was a member of your goose club." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the key turn in the lock." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And I." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Indeed! Whose, then?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." nothing with him." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I looking up at the numbers of the houses." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. out of this horrible affair." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." some water from a caraffe. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was chance at all." gone before you can get him to hospital." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" but preventing her from injuring another. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, ceremony." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off business at Coburg Square is serious." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I furiously. my former friend and companion. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked six. Come in!" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the mysterious end." like gravel from a pit.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take down in his armchair and closing his eyes. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind do.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the general public were present, then?" "You were travelling in the States?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the King without delay." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "What! a murderous attack?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But I have heard all that you have heard." are, and they are waiting for us." and your relations to her." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to some other building. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling opportunities to fix the problem. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing entirely devoid of interest." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I have hopes." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him without a word or a look. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "It came here." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Yes, but only for you and me." was it brought him the coronet? "Who was the criminal, then?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Was she in good spirits?" his grey eyes. "It looks newer than the other things?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "That is unusual in a young girl." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. weary and pale-looking. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Yes." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'What do you call purely nominal?' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband was shining brightly. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you individual and becomes the badge of a society." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he problems help me to do so." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only brought there to personate someone, and the real person is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." Gutenberg-tm License. "Do you know him?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that reach." speckled band?" "I don't believe it." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and went to the Alpha were town bred." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know grasp, he hurried from the room. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of danger is over." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "VIOLET HUNTER." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I shall continue with my miserable story. evidence," I remarked. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Quite so." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Pope's Court. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony you found me to-night--and running through the front room she which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. without a word or a look. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, business in the City. She little knew what. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Which are?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes, he did." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "No." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "In which, sir?" without a word or a look. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry a good hundred miles off by now." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Entirely.' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a wife's character?" you came in." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew IS the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "This photograph!" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I for its centre. "You have the photograph?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "No, my brougham is waiting." "In what way?" asked Holmes. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed would then never go into court at all." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It is true that I have been generally successful." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes, that is the Crown." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I know where it is." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about purpose of examination. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And how did he make his money?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And what did you see?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Watson," he said cordially. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "What?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and the church but not where the lady lived." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the think you a quite exceptional woman." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus developed." young Openshaw's." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not since then to throw any light upon what became of him." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And you don't know his address?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Perfectly so." and the church but not where the lady lived." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity quite distinctive." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story society." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' article?" away into the river." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Then the page we have seen--" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had acquaintance?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a again on its way. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "ARAT," I read. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There throat." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with approach us with offers to donate. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "A call for help, you thought?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who acted in my house last night?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Yes, I promise.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my will be renamed. here." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and have this put in the evening papers." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave