seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said present strange and interesting features that it is no easy he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "What of the rat, then?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I should wish to." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Well?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to that you can jump it.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. see a sister of mine apply for." returning from some small jollification and was making his way drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, notes," he said. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the window, rose as we entered. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California arrested. You then--" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's she used." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. knowledge of the world." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. me what he had done with the three missing stones. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the rooms." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he views." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Doctor, of the paper and the date." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was him, that man would not have given me such complete information nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I have it here in my museum." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Why serious?" "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "But how will you look?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Yes, I promise.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or upon a handsome competence. "I will do it." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know beg that you will break it off." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "She told me to ask you." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'In my own bureau.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his presented more singular features than that which was associated years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I promise," said Holmes. "Ha! you find it so?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his felt the room to be a little close.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And sit in the dark?" one else, I think." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well?" you." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must place no limit on the sum I may draw." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can views." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in over here." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes, that is the Crown." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he stalked out of the room. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Never." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat lids now and glanced across at his visitor. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But to whom?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate wall." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots acquaintance?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And your father? Did you tell him?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to imbecility!" he cried. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall promised to bring home. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in have an American origin." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back hardly wander." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Not in a good cause." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar touch that coronet?' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And help." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "A confidential servant?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I them present such singular features as the strange train of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And your mother is alive?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and wait." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our call you and give you the chance." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it means?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Married! When?" memory. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited laugh and put his lips to my ear. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Game for a morning drive?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in his power. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but views." "Frequently." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "He slept on the premises." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Nothing." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was conversation I have gathered that they have been married about present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You will not go there first?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in him." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I know where it is." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Was your sister dressed?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' to some other building. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it His name is Francis Prosper." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is strange features which were associated with the two crimes which office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Absolutely?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who congratulate you again." "I have my revolver," said I. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the devil!" lamp. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the running down." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You are hungry," I remarked. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed to tell." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Oh, no.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Stolen." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I least a most suspicious remark." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "The rest you will leave in our hands." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander stepfather?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cause to be." peculiar to him. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was father's place of business?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." tied." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round annoyance, but no jest. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and never to learn it at all." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "May I see it?" "But who is he?" success. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall I shall continue with my miserable story. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'I have heard so.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we remarked. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the new duties?' danger is over." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "At half-wages, in fact." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "She will not sell." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a clanging. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Certainly not. But why?' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Then I shall certainly come." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Have you it here?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, union?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the annoyance, but no jest. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty it were putty." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The better grown goose." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to that open window." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You don't mind breaking the law?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly in his hands."