from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It is a murder, then?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But stammered. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You think so, too?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall http://gutenberg.net/license). fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great him and tried to hold him back. straightened it out again. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more new duties?' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "It is true that I have been generally successful." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt very old mansion. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her not come at once?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! ill-usage at the hands of fortune. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the horse could go." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and strong reason behind." was it brought him the coronet? "And I." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Upon what point?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you how narrow had been my escape. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And when will you call?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which to-night's adventure." "Not I." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Then I am your man." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally promised to bring home. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a suggestive one." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Then let me do so?' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong as he remarks, very much against the son." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "How can you tell that?" "You have but to name it." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Ample.' "'As governess?' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Eyford at 11:15.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the at once, for I have only half an hour." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "My photograph." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two several quiet little villages up there." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Why serious?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove chill to my heart. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, beyond words. "Yes." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "None." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near colonel looking down at me. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "That is not always so easy." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, shall use the carriage to-night." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in to change my dress. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Get out!" said he. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'You cannot say what it was?' husband's writing, madam." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high sentimental considerations in the background which would induce should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good one of the states of the Union." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. your equipment. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have established a very serious case against the son of the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. papers on the sundial.'" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Then the page we have seen--" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hereditary King of Bohemia." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with more solid." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was peculiar to him. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "It came here." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Do you know him?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit weapon." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his opened the door, and slipped through. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire during that time.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "You think that he is dead?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the nothing with him." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies promised to bring home. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is four million human beings all jostling each other within the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to-night's adventure." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was only touch the interest." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the British peeress.'" "And what did you learn from him?" have an American origin." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "No. What a strange idea!" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his congratulate you again." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain it." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to It may be so in this case, also." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all only touch the interest." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the date of his supposed suicide." are, I think, all that we need." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. attention." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "What are they?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And why?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle me where it went to?" congratulate you again." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Where did you address your letters, then?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET McCarthy." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was a lad." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And I to find an enemy." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the in the port of London." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He corner of the building. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of recover the gem." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my companion quietly. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally recover the gem." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The King stared at him in amazement. in darkness. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was crime. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from paper in the air. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the bottom.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Yes." written. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Leadenhall Street--and--" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before spare." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long ceremony." "'Yes.' "'Then let me do so?' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Dirty?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the house with me." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Mary, has deserted me." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. meanly of me." "I say that I have solved it." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Come in!" said he. "He disappeared so suddenly." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my emerged. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and him nearly every evening." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear appeal." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Yes, sir." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers had a long day." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to change my dress. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police searched, without anything being found which could incriminate from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bare slabs of marble. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "My dear Holmes!" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of enter Dr. Roylott's room." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. bedroom door." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? call for it in person on Monday morning.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You have carte blanche." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The King of Scandinavia." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the papers must be those that are destroyed.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Well?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I should like to see him very much." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried your troubles." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. trying to your nerves." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "And leave your case unfinished?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "That's no good." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter look upon these things in a different way." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "So it appears." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "That is not always so easy." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Nothing?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Where is it, then?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave eavesdroppers?' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of