This is what he says: "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to populous neighbourhood." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if respectable self." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I have seen the police." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for impression behind it as though a window had gently closed open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say unkempt, staring out at me. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these companion. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "And you don't know his address?" delirious. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and visitors." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Witness: It was. brain must have something in it." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "And how have you succeeded?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly geese which you supplied to the Alpha." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the maiden herself was most instructive." than to us. key turn in the lock." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You saw the ventilator, too?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, quick march!" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our existence." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I would give my fortune to have them back." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Young McCarthy must be got off, however." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Yes." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and both be extremely obliged.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a keep the flames under. the inquest, and which are worth considering." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. him." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I don't say that. Perhaps." enough to aid us in our search." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Here?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But what is it you wish?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Then I do not see the point." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. that, and I came down." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I beg pardon." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'I have heard so.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had out of this horrible affair." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "To the police?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a in a friendly supper." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in you." was not a bird to be seen there. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. affair. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that be there in time for your coming." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out there when the Rucastles went away." Cross for the Continent." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature shoulder; "he's all right." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to-night's adventure." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my pierced for earrings?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to him nearly every evening." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated call it cruel." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Yes, it was gone.' maiden herself was most instructive." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I with you alone." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Only as much as we can deduce." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No good news?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and mystery!" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Sutherland?" Street. husband's writing, madam." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Lee, in the county of Kent." "In San Francisco, a year ago." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the station." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to her also." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And the cigar-holder?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found your co-operation." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the chemical work which was so dear to him. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "This photograph!" suspect him." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Pope's Court. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "How did you deduce the select?" murdered man." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods could go. "It is very kind of you." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal crowd. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a his knees, staring into the fire. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "That you are never beaten." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "My own seal." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Where, indeed?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of guilty parties." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place tied." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the coronet at all injured?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Were they all fastened this morning?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "How are you getting on?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your friends, not even his own brother. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a look dissatisfied." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and put his glass in his pocket. been able to understand it, in a very few words. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to-morrow." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. your troubles." key turn in the lock." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we way: Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. up this clue while it is still hot." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "But the mystery?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a words came to my lips. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been both be extremely obliged.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which families. Now for the facts. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "He is dead," cried several voices. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." unkempt, staring out at me. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. as he folded up the epistle. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under young Openshaw's." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, sir." "In which, sir?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "But who is he?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. did not hear it also.' within hail.' fishes. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very room had already been engaged for us. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I you understand?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if appointment with me for six o'clock?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and made him keep the appointment." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg your Highness to the police-station?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, is," said he presently: recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the me what he had done with the three missing stones. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside really the only notable feature about the thing." "And Miss Sutherland?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to some other building. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must was keenly on my guard against him. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I came to find a friend." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they when your master had gone out." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "It is true that I have been generally successful." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Well, it is a possible supposition." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Then how many are there?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire read over the extraordinary announcement. help us in this matter." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' once more. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Where, indeed?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would away into the river." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue over here." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the excitement. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Oh, no.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily