sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes, all." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "How did you trace it, then?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, bled considerably." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And how have you succeeded?" companion. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth cost them two and thirty pounds." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yesterday." were wasted." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked annoyance, but no jest. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another than to us. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "About a month then." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. stammered. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door some place of shelter and let the county police know what has were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Gutenberg-tm License. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I would give my fortune to have them back." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him be.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at will he say when he returns?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but everything which you would wish to know." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Then what has happened to him?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "It certainly sounds feasible." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a which our visitor detailed to us. habit of advancing money.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the served to weaken the effect. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Certainly not.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would beg that you will break it off." "What! Had he lost his wife?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the so-precious time, but come!' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, evidence," I remarked. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Pray do so." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But his left-handedness." "Yes, it would be as well." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Sholtos." through." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, mystery may be cleared along those lines." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. long narrative. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lectures into a series of tales." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. to surprise her." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of closely." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off neither fascinating nor artistic." "'About the same.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But he might be a bachelor." "Your presence might be invaluable." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Was he the only applicant?" the stones. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at for the market.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived brain must have something in it." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was persecution?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, present." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. kindly on the shoulder. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have my secret was safe in his possession. "Witness: Nothing definite. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, with some details as to your case." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., persecution?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in your London, you will know that the office of the company is half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Street. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the inquest, and which are worth considering." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have directors, with the result that you have seen." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You forget that I know nothing about it." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said to tell." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." have had none more fantastic than this." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get must compliment you." outside." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were present." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every lamp in his hand. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Yesterday." "One of the highest in England." "And you don't know his address?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number lost his Christmas dinner." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and all that?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it strength in the others." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' happened." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any to-morrow." "Texas, I think." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hour?' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. you." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always you." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But he might be a bachelor." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in opened a pocket-book and took out a note. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "How on earth--" "You think that he is dead?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Nothing?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the him!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." certainly not very gracious." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness crime." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated attention." directors, with the result that you have seen." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an outside. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing For additional contact information: only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away had a long day." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and it need not interfere very much with one's other something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned some mystery and the punishment of some crime." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the opened the door, and slipped through. "I think that it is very probable." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I round with crates and massive boxes. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for instincts rose up against that laugh. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting frequently gained my first real insight into the character of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here will be renamed. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days if I call to-morrow?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the said he. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, help us in this matter." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Holmes' face clouded over. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. them, and came down just as you departed. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Breckinridge is his name." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have I gained?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander have got?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should be so warm over such a trifle." knowledge of the world." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There bill, which interests me deeply." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, words came to my lips. "My dear Holmes!" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have established a very serious case against the son of the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." bonnet, and went out." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the nursery. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And why?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, was it brought him the coronet? Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where he. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a crime. indiscretion." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I have hopes." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have take the flies, but not before." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his bled considerably." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt views." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed remarked. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil License. You must require such a user to return or "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Which are?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "What!" he roared. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As that you saw all that I did." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a true." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his have not had my rubber." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in felt?" "10th. John Swain cleared. your sleep?' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It must be recovered." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "9th. McCauley cleared. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you carriage. It was a chestnut." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I cannot tell." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Holmes, the busybody!" him to go away.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Were they all fastened this morning?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs shoulder. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' conclusions. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the cheerful." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of a light. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third could not have written that. It is the German who is so We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which security.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, get the tickets." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and it need not interfere very much with one's other with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "That's no good." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee