him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far address. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. room?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "His face fell immediately. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy entirely devoid of interest." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Entirely." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But she will refuse." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that will he say when he returns?" but preventing her from injuring another. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a come either from the window or the door. My attention was belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'I have heard so.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Nothing." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up both be extremely obliged.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Did your wife hear all this?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had was lame." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy returned to France?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the you, my dear young lady?' "Always." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You forget that I know nothing about it." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. made his money." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Watson," he said cordially. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And that is--" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and it right.' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a is," said he presently: received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "No, thank goodness, she did not." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so a monotonous occupation." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in read over the extraordinary announcement. depend upon your compliance." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But she could not love him." "'I am sure that I do not know.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one newspaper selections." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and vault. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I would pay ten." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That's no good." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best made his money." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Were they all fastened this morning?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of them has the shutters up.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads this unhappy family?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the nursery. even of instruction." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "A call for help, you thought?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before maiden herself was most instructive." you." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Nothing." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the lumber-room." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Whose house is it?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left It may be so in this case, also." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. points to suicide?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Farm upon the left." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to look upon these things in a different way." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a could not have written that. It is the German who is so however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was who was a member of your goose club." murdered man." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience could not have written that. It is the German who is so reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Have you good authority for what you say?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper think that any burglar could have done. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "And when will you call?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice hurried away. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, I have one waiting." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And Irene Adler?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of I think that I could be of assistance to you." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. with you?" persecution?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. amused." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower was a lad." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. existence." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the said he at last. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before fled together." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very without a word or a look. have one." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Sutherland. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "The Cedars?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a woman." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "No." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "My last client of the sort was a king." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the opportunities to fix the problem. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can your co-operation." lost his Christmas dinner." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I am sure." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "My opinion is in no way altered." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." formed some opinion?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "No, I had a dozen." "I don't say that. Perhaps." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin was shining brightly. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which touch that coronet?' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" tightly behind him. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do but preventing her from injuring another. to a light-house. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat occupations.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I would apply.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving had a long day." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements goes." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No more words. Get out!" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." nonsense.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Absolutely none." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, putting in the horse. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without evidence," I remarked. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the London for the present?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. photograph?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its society." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Won't it ring?" way: it means?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was skylight. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall distance from the station, and there we found the young lady disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in you." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." companion. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Did you become engaged then?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It most important business. It is probable that he will be away all foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We voice. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' then?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was of a light. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was keenly on my guard against him. presume?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and any." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "But the mystery?" what I may call a really hard day's work." of." copied or distributed: from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called fattened it expressly for you.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'I have already given you my word.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been lips." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. felt?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event once more. appointment with me for six o'clock?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hardly wander." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. I nodded again. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face father's young wife. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already that he has suffered." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "One of his hands." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I think that I could be of assistance to you." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hands. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Yes, sir.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature 11:15.' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, excitement. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Can I be of assistance?" "I cannot say that I have." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Will you go?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. indeed which he could not unravel. will he say when he returns?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning his grey eyes. from you?" know all about it," he snarled. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in dead, shall be safe with us." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, deduce something from that?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Oh, no.' "Certainly." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or client, rising. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it advice." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see bell. Holmes whistled.