any little problem which you may submit to me." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little overpowering excitement and concern. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "A confidential servant?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, best detective that ever lived. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Did he not advertise?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "And what did you learn from him?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the coroner come to?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "And you thought he was pulled back?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my there." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project you do it in twenty minutes!' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to chance at all." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Why did you pick him?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in death." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a leave you to your papers for a little." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else people in all walks of life. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my would then never go into court at all." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "What will you say?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the brandy and water within his reach. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if second window is the one that I jumped from." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from meant it for the best. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to-night." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Clair, of Lee." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were noting anything else of interest. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I am armed." that I am arrested." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Yes, it was twisted." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning companion. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Here?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong was it brought him the coronet? empty. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin have I gained?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other advice." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. woven round him. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and married her." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Nothing." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees have established a very serious case against the son of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Oh, yes, easily." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age whole matter to your consideration." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he not personally threatened." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." maid will bring up your coffee." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." did not hear it also.' "But he might be a bachelor." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the records." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "You think that he is dead?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to some other building. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as of fine shops and stately business premises that they really stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." closing the door. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And how did you find out?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see any little problem which you may submit to me." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Holmes' room. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, friends, not even his own brother. "What then?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the loss of it. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. gone. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What!" he roared. "No, I am descending." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She considering the formidable letters which were received by himself to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your which it had come upon my father." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the roots. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to take care of herself." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You will not go there first?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. cigars in the box." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. them, and came down just as you departed. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to Leatherhead. empty. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "No, but the enclosure is." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge go--none." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my envelope. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "By no means." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and been." I nodded again. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were assist you in forming an opinion." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "He said that you could solve anything." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened me, and I could not think that his explanation of the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Pray continue your narrative." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And from a noble client?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "The Cedars?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my questionable one." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my this Miss Turner." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and that he would see to anything that turned up. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the bonnet, and went out." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he lost nothing by them." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "He disappeared so suddenly." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a ago." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Chief Executive and Director see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to me. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Was she in good spirits?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of jewels which you have stolen?' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps fluttered off among the others. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the stable lane now." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. pressing in one house as in another. purpose of examination. "I am sure." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." have an American origin." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to congratulate you again." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Never.' had formerly been in part my own. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque a monotonous occupation." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I one of the states of the Union." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have a cab outside." was keenly on my guard against him. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I held the little printed slip to the light. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I may never be exposed to such a temptation." weapon." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. your Highness to the police-station?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest thirty. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, congratulate you again." the window, rose as we entered. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the devil!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Witness: It was. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had go--none." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And on what day did he meet his death?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but questioning and rather startled gaze. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole if I call to-morrow?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent dear old homesteads?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said call it cruel." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are