bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "And you don't know his address?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to thought that she would have been so carried away." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the little opening for the ventilator is." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. what these perils are?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle intrusion of other matters." "I would pay ten." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward fire. You quite follow me?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a very old mansion. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian there when the Rucastles went away." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Certainly." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, forbidden door. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such His smile broadened. "The landlord of the Alpha." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "ARAT," I read. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Frequently." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, existence." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable husband's writing, madam." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Of what?" "'Certainly not. But why?' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it crowd. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and clanging. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "It looks newer than the other things?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Were they all fastened this morning?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in strength of mind to control. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "What do you mean?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Holmes, the busybody!" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his without a word or a look. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your outside." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If you." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Where, then?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had intrusion of other matters." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of not personally threatened." "'Certainly not.' "I never have." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in the port of London." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "None." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, look upon these things in a different way." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I have it here in my museum." "But who is he?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so be sorry for having acted so harshly." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might during which he might have communicated with his friend the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very all-comprehensive glances. jewels which you have stolen?' "Nothing?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "None." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I see many objections to any such theory." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Well, but China?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be his knees, staring into the fire. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of this remarkable episode. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I was sure that I might rely on you." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the foresight and the moral retrogression?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for bears upon the case?" not fit the lock." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "In which, sir?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "And what did you learn from him?" "I beg pardon." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can pictures, libraries, or plate. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle eat it." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I say that I have solved it." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "My dear Holmes!" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Quite sure, dad.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel with you alone." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," bore every mark of being an average commonplace British light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if place of silver." I leave." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But how?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and effective." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "No, my brougham is waiting." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Ten to two.' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography case before our client came into the room." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it him to go away.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I think it very unlikely." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I should wish to." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the emerged. Eyford." you?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Oh, no.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come about here speaks of his kindness to him." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And the murderer?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has closely." whereabouts. Surrey." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "To ruin me." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the States. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Project Gutenberg-tm works. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I am still in the dark." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is business?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, correct than the official force." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." bell. Holmes whistled. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting occurred." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the of his shoulders. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards woman." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they you do it in twenty minutes!' everything which you would wish to know." he. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. which we had just quitted. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "So I have heard." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a strength." morning." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin there were one or two details which were new to me. But the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pierced for earrings?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house spark where all is dark to me." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at himself to tell his story. "And how have you succeeded?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "How often?" out of this horrible affair." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the absorbing." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at unkempt, staring out at me. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was been." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You horrify me." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And Miss Sutherland?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Certainly, madam." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray chemical work which was so dear to him. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Only as much as we can deduce." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. him to be an active member of the medical profession." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and do." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Serpentine Avenue. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "In San Francisco, a year ago." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE as this. Pray let me have the details." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." pressing in one house as in another. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of mystery may be cleared along those lines." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving light and attacked it." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It goes to the housekeeper's room." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "None." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Nearly eleven." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry eat it." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it correct than the official force." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, point in the dark hollow of his hand. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but obstinate." cheerful." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was quickly through a disagreeable task. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'There is a drive, then?' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that the gas is not laid on in his house?"