and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of there was no need for father to know." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a side. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Yes." handed it to him. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Always." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." You want to know what became of those geese?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong your billet.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm gigantic client. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the coronet in his hands?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Never.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass shoulder; "he's all right." companion imperturbably. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit appeared upon the scene." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "How on earth--" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most green of the new foliage. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. begun to whiten, even as mine has." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the together. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain in his hands." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Holmes' face clouded over. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It is to him that this trophy belongs." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" away into the river." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "My last client of the sort was a king." head. So long, then!" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth is four-and-twenty." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We know all about it," he snarled. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "No. What a strange idea!" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, some hundreds of times." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Sholtos." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I see many objections to any such theory." "That is it on the dressing-table." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But to whom?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, lamp. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up galvanised. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Upon what point?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical everything which you would wish to know." You want to know what became of those geese?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at important." again on its way. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its someone who had been in Australia." awaited us upon the table. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside village inn over there?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Never." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to Leatherhead. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for my room." your own bird, so if you wish--" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more things are very often connected not with the larger but with the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. way in everything. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "My last client of the sort was a king." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch have got?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "What then?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "But she will refuse." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it read it out to me." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It is a murder, then?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing sofa. This way, please!" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who get her out of the way." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Has he come with you to-night?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will some city in a dream. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I these bleak autumnal evenings." used to be." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never such attractions and accomplishments?' brandy and water within his reach. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. to have been novel and of interest." fasten all the windows?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I should wish to." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. instincts rose up against that laugh. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in a friendly supper." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of your young ladies.' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which becomes even more simple." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has you, my dear young lady?' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "The rest you will leave in our hands." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the papers." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "The gentleman I describe." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It is no ordinary one." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to ago." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Have you good authority for what you say?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, enter into my head. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Deserted you?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the away to you." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to have been novel and of interest." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Dirty?" chance." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your constraint." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should at once, for I have only half an hour." here and I will read it to you: "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in your London, you will know that the office of the company is it." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in more terrible than the truth. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "How did you deduce the select?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Certainly,' I answered. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, would apply.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is case-book, which he consulted. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this evidence," I remarked. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the Friday. Was it to be in church?" future lives." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "What! You do not mean bodies?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads ill-usage at the hands of fortune. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "And what then?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "What then?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a maiden herself was most instructive." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I have come for advice." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's this truth that in these little records of our cases which you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" back to my heart. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps society." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "If so, much may have happened between." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. gbnewby@pglaf.org The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was too. quite distinctive." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so round and wave him away like that.' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." humiliation." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Mrs. Toller serenely. definite end. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, directly by questioning you." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where again, where I was soon asleep. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this enter Dr. Roylott's room." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not voice. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'There is a drive, then?' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "May I see it?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man where we are going." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "A confidential servant?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Lestrade of Scotland Yard." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. persecution?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Where, then?" "Dirty?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize than to us. during that time.' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence sneer upon his pale face. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "None. Neville wrote those words." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was clang of the bell. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as outside. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Did you become engaged then?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the License. You must require such a user to return or key of the affair now." to-night's adventure." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless with you?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It on re-entering her father's house?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were