"'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little spare." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present chair. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have your troubles." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that papers diligently of late, have you not?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Not social, then?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and I have it here in my museum." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a your only hope of safety." interest. They are important, you understand, without being with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, before the coroner and the police-court." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "He said that you could solve anything." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and your relations to her." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could views." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. affection." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing him. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to take care of herself." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from brought there to personate someone, and the real person is upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the License. You must require such a user to return or "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Project Gutenberg-tm works. 11:15.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But what is it you wish?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I cannot say that I have." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Mrs. Toller serenely. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the date of his supposed suicide." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very she to prove their authenticity?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said had picked up in the wood. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That also I could fathom." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the good for you to do.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. done what I asked you, Jones?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ordinary clothes on?" "Absolutely?" "Did you observe the colour?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, gone before you can get him to hospital." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white get her out of the way." pound a week." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey pound a week." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love most interesting one." make me his representative both with the servants and with the depend upon your compliance." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my once more for Briony Lodge. "But your client--" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You cigars in the box." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the that he has suffered." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Nothing?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his assist you in forming an opinion." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white directors, with the result that you have seen." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Again Holmes raved in the air. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I think that I had better go, Holmes." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the stones. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Yes, sir." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the For additional contact information: Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "What are they?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a morning." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this there were so many in the whole country as were brought together we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from thin legs towards the fire. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a for and were ordered to this address. behind me. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them derbies." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have tell him that I know him to be innocent." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for better grown goose." gives a meaning to it." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Has he come with you to-night?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the hand, madam?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and files of the old papers, following the future career of every quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press spare." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Is he quiet?" "I am about to be married." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things crackling voice. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the you." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It certainly sounds feasible." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the stood on the top of it. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but wedding?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. be.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I crackling voice. details." again, where I was soon asleep. "'How far from the body?' "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I cannot tell." everything which you would wish to know." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of secret." "But how?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Entirely." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the photograph?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and article?" any." "Witness: Nothing definite. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I cannot tell." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I will not look." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is very kind of you." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, opened the door, and slipped through. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Street. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement here." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. it." voice, changing her seat as requested. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and laid it on the table. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of generous with you in money matters.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "No, thank goodness, she did not." asked. "I shall most certainly do so." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said delirious. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Ten to two.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Tired-looking or fresh?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into once more to my work. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It is very clear." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. had a long day." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There had this final quarrel? Does that suggest anything?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "None." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Perhaps we may make them less so." purpose equally well?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And attention." key turn in the lock." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'In my own bureau.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Witness: It was. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, carried out of court." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. legal crime." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, out." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "BALLARAT." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "May I see it?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so that he has suffered." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "What?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me come either from the window or the door. My attention was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many sneer upon his pale face. "Very much so." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting noise which awoke you from your sleep?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "What then?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. unprecedented a position." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. weary and pale-looking. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Will you go?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Her father is very rich?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had should be so warm over such a trifle." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes, only one." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Which dealer's?' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as used to be." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as he folded up the epistle. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet