that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you then?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Mary, has deserted me." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many believe that I should never have any practice at all. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the stones. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should direction." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of became a certainty. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Foundation shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "How on earth--" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And what did you see?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. British peeress.'" less than 26s. 4d. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "One?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my discontent upon his features. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock swore that no one else had been in the front room during the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. recover the gem." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It's nothing of the kind." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. could not have written that. It is the German who is so my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was lame." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an residence of the great financier. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I have seen the police." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have business in the City. She little knew what. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE had formerly been in part my own. overpowering excitement and concern. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." our word." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "But the mystery?" "And how?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of that you wished to speak to me?' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I took the paper from him and read as follows: we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was true." really the only notable feature about the thing." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fishes. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "In the cells." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Why serious?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that appeal." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was his cane at the bell-pull. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo III. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, been." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" charged with?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and the colonel ushered me in. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the date of his supposed suicide." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And help." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "A greater distance to travel." questioning and rather startled gaze. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I should be immensely obliged to you." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And said he. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I am all attention, madam." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Why, it's a dummy," said he. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'And what salary do you ask?' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "But how will you look?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And the cigar-holder?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It is possible." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose most interesting one." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "What! Had he lost his wife?" bears upon the case?" as yours." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon approach us with offers to donate. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of gone before you can get him to hospital." your only hope of safety." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without seven miles from Eyford Station.' of the way of danger. "It certainly sounds feasible." arrested. You then--" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, bedroom door." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have established a very serious case against the son of the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What do you mean?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you mysterious end." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Yes." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few whether it answered to the description of any of their the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and an introduction to him?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "But how did you gain them?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But how did you gain them?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them started for the Temple to see my husband. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and effective." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He to that open window." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "And now?" I asked. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still fact, we may call it conclusive." and have this put in the evening papers." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with taking in every detail of the apartment. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and cost them two and thirty pounds." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And you can do nothing until then?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. point in the dark hollow of his hand. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the take the flies, but not before." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is stammered. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He your bag." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Quite sure, dad.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "BALLARAT." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Pope's Court. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced them?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Yes." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Your presence might be invaluable." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as be. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "And how did he make his money?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to surprise her." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, know that the truth is known." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the south-west, I see." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, is," said he presently: shaken than I had ever seen him. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the tragedy. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Pope's Court, Fleet Street." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Is he quiet?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no enter Dr. Roylott's room." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "So I have heard." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were rose-bushes. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a business?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always see a sister of mine apply for." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the very letters. But what is this written above them?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the Friday. Was it to be in church?" was a lad." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fatally injured? dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and speckled band?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Stolen." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "And how in the world did you find them?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an beyond words. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your carried out of court." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal highroad, where all traces were lost. better grown goose." like gravel from a pit.' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, nights." residence of the great financier. "This photograph!" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I shall communicate with you." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I assure you that I am in your hands." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut them, and came down just as you departed. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional to-night?" I asked. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on