was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done means taking possession of that which another person has a prior He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "That is possible." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more are windows in it, of course?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the out." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'Yes, sir.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Sutherland. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Ample.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy your Highness to the police-station?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that address. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique mysterious business." "Pray continue your narrative." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' go from here to the Strand." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is jewels which you have stolen?' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. with the outside air!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "She told me to ask you." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It surprised me." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many what do you think they found in the pockets?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old drove away. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his of them has the shutters up.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the hopeless attempt at recovering them." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "What is it, then--a fire?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found passage and a tap at the door. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "What! Had he lost his wife?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that?' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' your room." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of was lame." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an throat." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: chair. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent fat-encircled eyes. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Holmes." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast memory. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included papers on the sundial.'" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Holmes." I approached. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the quite distinctive." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "My dear Holmes!" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "He is still with you, I presume?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "He said that you could solve anything." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and system of imprisonment?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was a perfect sample of the class. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in will not take me long to tell. tightly behind him. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "And I to find an enemy." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the nursery. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. dead, shall be safe with us." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and interested in these little problems, and since you are good time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" works. "What, then?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good his grey eyes. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly something of him before." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sholtos." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "No." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Not I." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem written, and locked the door of the office after me. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he respectable self." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "What I expected to see." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for later, upon the night of May 2nd." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." evidence," I remarked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Chief Executive and Director including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is shall not find me ungrateful." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend have accepted such a situation. quite distinctive." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the o'clock is it?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to surprise her." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made roused himself from his reverie. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "At the wedding breakfast." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Yes, it would be as well." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it gone. "Of what day?" "No more words. Get out!" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, had a long day." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his it." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. entirely lost his self-respect." carriage. It was a chestnut." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless as he remarks, very much against the son." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that said Mr. Holder. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air in. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that in. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. This is what he says: places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" ready to-morrow?' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of congratulate you again." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. out." "Very. But will he see it?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And the cigar-holder?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, very old mansion. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have considering the formidable letters which were received by himself typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the salesman. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "That also I could fathom." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I have seen the police." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER stepfather?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the easy-going way." know that the truth is known." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I will not look." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with whereabouts. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for believe that I should never have any practice at all. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Perfectly so." appeal." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Is 4 pounds a week.' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Where to?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To your equipment. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "What do you mean?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' dear old homesteads?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon you in your example." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the matter." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Eyford at 11:15.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the coroner come to?" the Assizes." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his very old mansion. people don't know." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have of campaign. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "What have you to say now?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I should be immensely obliged to you." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the driver. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if security.' were new raised from a basin. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "What have you to say now?" "But I am all in the dark." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "None." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their problems help me to do so." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "And how did you verify them?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you for a few hours?" "But she will refuse." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" least a fellow-countryman. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You think that he is dead?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No. What a strange idea!" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and know what is wrong with it.' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him there was no need for father to know." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'I have heard so.' "Witness: It was. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my becomes even more simple." "Yes, at the mines." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and looked back. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know weapon." you." he died? "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "And the murderer?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Pray be precise as to details," said he. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. spark where all is dark to me." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Eyford." of his shoulders. "And the murderer?" purpose of examination. would then never go into court at all." "To an end?" be best to do. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round,