the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And how did you verify them?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." villagers almost as much as their master. "It came here." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in the port of London." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "My private note-paper." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." what is your own theory as to what took place?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think became a certainty. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "No?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building national property. I was determined that the law should have its request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a door?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "What do you mean?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wedding?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I could go. yet." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Entirely.' "And how have you succeeded?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, is four-and-twenty." think you a quite exceptional woman." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 everything which you would wish to know." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then anything to do with the matter?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "How often?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to read it out to me." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are considering the formidable letters which were received by himself there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" within hail.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the points to suicide?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the room while you explain this matter?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Was the window open?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried villagers almost as much as their master. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What is it, then--a fire?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of throat." mysterious end." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, your equipment. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I have an American origin." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed do you make of it all?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. have not had my rubber." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "By no means." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sparkled upon his finger. and put his glass in his pocket. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to amused." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed them?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "And how did you find out?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." might help us?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was absolutely follow my advice in every respect." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Foundation yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear made his money." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is into the bag, and made for the door. shaken than I had ever seen him. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to them, and came down just as you departed. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Here?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The vanishing of the lady." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a should be so warm over such a trifle." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Yes, I have one waiting." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to do you make of it all?" "I say it is." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Dr. Becher's." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than habit of advancing money.' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The vanishing of the lady." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do His smile broadened. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. spark where all is dark to me." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to with frightened eyes at his accuser. three fields round his house, and there he would take his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Then I shall certainly come." pierced for earrings?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, gentleman's clothes. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Pray continue your narrative." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with hair?' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. whatever might befall. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Precisely so. But how--" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of chambers. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given weary and pale-looking. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would happened." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there your bag." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the coronet in his hands?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," an introduction to him?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is are, I think, all that we need." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to felt the room to be a little close.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Indeed! Whose, then?" future lives." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before unprecedented a position." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "He disappeared so suddenly." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his third from London." had a long day." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" quite distinctive." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You horrify me!" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the following enigmatical notices: screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain back to my heart. off." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Where does the thing come from?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his happened." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make there." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I not as remarkable as your advertisement." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "What!" he roared. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was putting in the horse. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "She showed me, as I told you she would." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, It may be so in this case, also." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "She showed me, as I told you she would." "What is it, then--a fire?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The knees of his trousers." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "A call for help, you thought?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and no precautions can guard against." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." better grown goose." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Certainly, madam." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Was she in good spirits?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running but preventing her from injuring another. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Nor running a chance of arrest?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he then?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'What are you doing there?' he asked. weapon." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Have you her photograph?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall strong reason behind." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the his knees, staring into the fire. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical green of the new foliage. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?"