The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Have you good authority for what you say?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "My dear Holmes!" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You know me, then?" "I cannot imagine." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "But what is it you wish?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's within hail.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the visitors." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "It must be recovered." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, said he. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure chance at all." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the have I gained?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You are all wrong." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'As governess?' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "How many? I don't know." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "But I have heard all that you have heard." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is appointment with me for six o'clock?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "When did it break out?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End his face which made him a very different person to the round, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt now. It seems that there had been some informality about their still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, colonel looking down at me. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'You doubt its value?' he asked. been shamefully used." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such through." three of the beryls in it, was missing. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Nothing." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Stoke Moran." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner good for you to do.' "The best possible." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the running down." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the union?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "He disappeared so suddenly." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "My last client of the sort was a king." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" formed some opinion?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left secret." III. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I have it here in my museum." hands. must be when I saw the door open.' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "My private note-paper." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save married her." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back figure." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless where she found matters as described by the last witness. your co-operation." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to confronted him. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no strength of mind to control. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who o'clock is it?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he bowed and left the room without another word. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "There is the writing." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "What then?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his leave you to your papers for a little." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve some terrible trap for her." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Which are?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our man. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so father's young wife. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than which I could not give. He asked for Alice. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "An accident, I presume?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon meant." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated be.' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And how in the world did you find them?" yourselves in at night?" "'Which dealer's?' I nodded to show that I had heard. enter into my head. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must interested in these little problems, and since you are good Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "At the wedding breakfast." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might few hundred pounds.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded at once, for I have only half an hour." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I will do it." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a less than 26s. 4d. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes' face clouded over. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "It missed him, then?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes, sir." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where But Holmes shook his head gravely. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this enough to aid us in our search." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you towards the blaze. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of come either from the window or the door. My attention was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to extraordinary contortions. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Cross for the Continent." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ran thus: think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "No sign of it?" on re-entering her father's house?" "Ten will be early enough." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the could gather together that I was able to avert another public other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. your equipment. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Come in!" said he. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. bill, which interests me deeply." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did village inn over there?" you?' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, posted to-day." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I have a cab outside." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever cup of tea. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle considering the formidable letters which were received by himself hair?' "'Is purely nominal.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a room. shoulder. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the warnings." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the I took the paper from him and read as follows: have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Street. "Holmes, the busybody!" "And why in hopes?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales cup of tea. "9th. McCauley cleared. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holmes. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I would pay ten." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "He said too much." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. least a most suspicious remark." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." three fields round his house, and there he would take his to a light-house. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he which are rolled in Rotterdam." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by colonel looking down at me. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." II. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the me. You must get home instantly and act." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email secret." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, evidence," I remarked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Yes, I promise.' shoulder. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It is possible." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual away into the river." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the out." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Married! When?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked James Windibank. Voilà tout!" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Dark enough and sinister enough." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "A call for help, you thought?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, generous with you in money matters.' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water detective. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" married her." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of receipt of the work. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Gutenberg-tm License. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock your sleep?' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said outsides of the windows. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The rest you will leave in our hands." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Was she in good spirits?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his an introduction to him?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "ARAT," I read. as noiselessly as she had come. way in." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said