"Your sister is dead, then?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend over his head with a sweet womanly caress. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed newspaper selections." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I not personally threatened." "'Ample.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the running down." "And your mother is alive?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when paper in the air. be. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." to have been novel and of interest." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Will you bet, then?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." which was all perfectly true. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that, and I came down." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to Leatherhead. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I I nodded again. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call sit on the left-hand side of the driver." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I will try. What is it?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his see a sister of mine apply for." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, been able to understand it, in a very few words. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the success. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and I shall be with you presently." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place me where it went to?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Texas, I think." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Holmes, the busybody!" "Has he come with you to-night?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "None." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in other, as fresh and trim as possible. "But what will you do?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, or in danger--" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Who was the criminal, then?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I strong and stiff." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Nothing." "That is unusual in a young girl." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed read over the extraordinary announcement. "No?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "So I am. Very much so." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Well, but China?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." bedroom door." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the morning and make my own way in the world.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "That's no good." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Then you may entirely rely on me." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out tied." for the market.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Witness: I must still refuse. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Pope's Court. "Ten will be early enough." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my seem to you to be relevant or not." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Pray do so." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "May I see it?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of fat-encircled eyes. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "What shall I do?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," meanly of me." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I cigars in the box." lectures into a series of tales." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Was he the only applicant?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'There is a drive, then?' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some along the entire front of the house, with three long windows swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Pray do so." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But I am all in the dark." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Yes." was already answered. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that this Miss Turner." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Nothing?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Get out!" said he. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and the whole place is in a blaze." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Who by?" a little more before I quite committed myself. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I say that I have solved it." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was seen the man in the road." my former friend and companion. bird I ate is country bred." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "One?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I do." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Stoke Moran?" said he. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he when you have done it." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as morning." own family. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "My opinion is in no way altered." "Deserted you?" outsides of the windows. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some My friend smiled. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'What, the red-headed man?' "The murder was done with it." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "My opinion is in no way altered." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "And I say east," said my patient. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer union?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some indeed happy." question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Well, but China?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been evidence," I remarked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH it." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a little more before I quite committed myself. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, stalked out of the room. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that crackling voice. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and looked back. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Then I do not see the point." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his heavy and sharp instrument." said he. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade had died away into the silence from which it rose. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to-night." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe there." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "To an end?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond once more to my work. existence." mysterious end." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Yes." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the tragedy. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "And did you observe any change in her then?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very other means.' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Yes, but only for you and me." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to as yours." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations that he has suffered." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must very old mansion. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "In the cells." "You are all wrong." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally appointment with me for six o'clock?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew province." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Have you good authority for what you say?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I cannot tell." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. name is different." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I should like to see him very much." "'Quite sure, dad.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a read over the extraordinary announcement. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. in his power. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your is acting for the best. the warnings." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he roused himself from his reverie. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Most admirably.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "My photograph." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most recover the gem." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Frequently." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy matter over." "How on earth--" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You will take you up to see the machine.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a that he has suffered." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to humiliation." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about learned something! Where are the gems?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple friends, not even his own brother.